Rifle Setup And Use

Modern Tactical Shooting's video on "Best AR15 setup and Tactical Loadout for the prepared civilian" recently popped up on my YouTube recommendations. The video is from the perspective of civilian self-defense against two-legged predators or, if you live in a rural setting, protecting livestock. In other words, a defensive rifle, not a hunting rifle or "survival" rifle. Which makes sense since the author's background is special operations during the global war on terror (GWOT). 

    The host's focus is on the AR15 in 5.56 NATO/.223 since that is the most popular rifle for defensive use. He opens by discussing the best barrel length. His pick is a 14.5" (with a pin and welded muzzle device to bring it up to the legal 16") which he believes gives you the best balance between maneuverability and muzzle velocity. He does not believe you need more than 16" (i.e., a 20-inch) because it is becomes too unwieldy; and he believes that the shorter 10.5 or 11.5 inch barrels are more problematic both from legal reasons (it either must be an SBR or in a pistol configuration) and due to blast (he recommends not using these shorter lengths unless you have a suppressor). Nevertheless, he admits that most of the rifles he shoots have 16-inch barrels. 

    He also discusses bullet weights with his conclusion being that you should shoot what you can afford even if it is 55-grain (although he gives a nod to the 62-grain green tip because of its better ability to penetrate automobiles).  

     He also provides some thoughts on optics including a discussion of a realistic distances for self-defense and the distances at which you are practicing, with his final conclusion being that most people are going to be fine using a red-dot. He also gives some tips on using a red dot out to 500 yards. 

    He then goes into a discussion of plate carriers and chest rigs and why some of the setups he used in GWOT didn't work so well for his work as a civilian contractor and probably would not be the best choice for the home defender. He has some recommendations for something low-key.  

    The host was inspired to make his video after watching "How to use your Rifle In Combat" from the Echo Mike YouTube channel, which I've also embedded below.   

VIDEO: "Best AR15 setup and Tactical Loadout for the prepared civilian."
Modern Tactical Shooting (26 min.)

 

VIDEO: "How to use your Rifle In Combat"
Echo Mike (34 min.)