Dirt, Grime, and Lead

This week has been M-16 training, and any week spent training with firearms is a good week in my book! We were actually using M-4's for our training... for those not as obsessive when it comes to firearms as I am (which is likely everyone), the M-4 is built off the same upper and lower receiver as the M-16 except a 14.5" barrel (vs. 20" on the M-16) and a 6-position collapsible buttstock. These features make it much shorter and easier to move around with, especially in convoy situations.


The down-side, if there is one, is the shorter barrel and sight radius, which makes the rifle less accurate. I could geek out even more about the 4 M.O.A. deviation on the M-4, but I think most of you have gone cross eyed by now.

So anyways, shooting was good. Qualified with a 153 out of 200, my lowest ever score which is upsetting, but hard to be upset when over 50% of the group didn't even qualify. We shot at 200 yards, which was tough, especially in the heat and glare of the SoCal sun. Leave it to the attentive reader to understand that means Kevin is now a few shades of tomato redder than previously.

The second and possibly more interesting part of the day was spent at the other end of the range, below the targets, in an area known as the "butts" - why is beyond me. Anyways, the sound of a bullet breaking the sound barrier only a few feet above your head is indescribable, but if I had to describe it (wait, what?) I'd say it sounded like a cross between a whip cracking, a belt being snapped against itself, and two pieces of wood being whacked together. Close your eyes - it's almost like being there!

Gas chamber this Friday, more shooting tomorrow - updates as they become available. Until we meet again...