Click here to download the catalog as a PDF file. To view this site you need Adobe Flash Player and your browser must allow javaScripts. Go here to get the latest Flash Player. REALITY CHECK I I COUNSEL, WISDOM, GUIDANCE AND TEACHING. CLINT SMITH LIGHT TACTICAL RIFLE Needs Versus Wants t’s good to see more cops carrying and using rifles today. What might not be so good is looking at some of the choices allowed or forced to use and, more importantly, to look at some of the goofy marketing ploys laid on the LEO community such as “Just the rifle cops need.” Having dealt with the rifle for some time I’m often approached by officers and even manufacturers wanting to know what rifle I would use, what rifle I’d recommend, or my favorite of this bunch; the marketing guy’s question, “What do you think of our rifle?” Bluntly most of the equipment offerings are too heavy, too big, too complicated and over engineered by some marketing or LE department “expert” in rifles, who’s often Magna Cum Laude from the University of Bullshit. Don’t take this wrong — if what you have works for you, then your problem is solved. But, remember, many people are talking about a weapons platform they’ve never used. I The LTR in action with members of the Oregon National Guard. Needs Vs. Want am not sure every American cop needs an AR15 platform with IR lasers, TV screen gun sights, double magazine carriers, and enough 1913 Picatinny rails to start a new branch of the Atchison, Topeka, Santa Fe Rail Road. I am intrigued with the why “I need a buncha bullets” concept. If you’re a SWAT entry team, up front, thru the door first guy — you bet, go armored, go big or stay home. That said, with no negative connotations here, SWAT guys solved the second suspect problem in the North Hollywood Bank America gig then again — only speculating here — could a semi auto rifle or heaven forbid, even a simple bolt action rifle with a modest scope have solved the full auto idiots problem before the SWAT guys got on scene? You bet, and that’s a big reason why so many departments are now authorizing rifles. “I want a high capacity magazine fed automatic rifle, the 6.8 is better than the .223. The HK416 is better than the SCAR” (like who cares most of us can’t get either one). All these points are moot if the target is not hit to start with. I read in a defense review magazine an interesting statement by an Army Colonel, who said in part, “It doesn’t matter what we use if we don’t hit the target.” Hummm…I wonder if he has a point? I BIG AND HEAVY? his has been solved and proved again and again over the last ten years, it does not have to have a long barrel and it does not have to be heavy to hit the target. Does a Patrol Bolt Rifle have to weigh twelve pounds and have a twenty-four inch barrel? How about a seven-pound gun with a twenty inch barrel? When, where and how are the majority of the LEO surgical rifle shootings taking place? Generally, SWAT fired shots are often made with state of the art, big money, LEO rifles yet, could these same or similar marksmanship problems be solved by a smaller package — especially in the hands of a trained patrol cop. Who’s almost always on the scene first? I am not saying patrol cops should usurp SWAT, but if the situation deteriorates right now, and the problem needs to be solved right now, maybe they need the correct tool. T 32 WWW.AMERICANCOPMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008