Fighting Rifle 💥: What Are The Most Important Considerations???

In this Hatchet Cast episode, Eric breaks down what he looks for in a duty rifle, despite what role it plays and how it is used. Best three ways to support us is to come train with us, pick up some gear from our website and from our affiliates using the links and codes below. Make sure you follow Barrel & Hatchet on our other social media platforms to stay up to date on what is happening in the Barrel & Hatchet community. Welcome to Barrel & Hatchet Trade Group.
CHAPTERS:
0:00 - Introduction to Fighting Rifles
1:08 - Rifle Muzzle Device Overview
2:34 - Understanding Rifle Gas Systems
8:02 - Choosing the Right Handguard
9:22 - Receiver Set Selection Guide
13:35 - Creepy Tactical Tales
19:06 - Support Our Channel
19:44 - Conclusion and Farewell
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[@philliplopez1501]

1. Have one. A good rifle now is better than your dream rifle that comes too late. 2. Pick a caliber. There a numerous reasons 5.56 is the standard. 3. Pick a bullet. I chose 62 grain M855 because it has the advantages of being heavier and less susceptible to windage at max range compared to M193; more cost effective than 77 grain; and more common than both. It also the gold standard for Armor penetration. 4. Pick a barrel length. Determine the actual distance that the rifle must engage out to. Then determine whether that target will be armored. Some math will tell you that you need 2900+ fps to punch through armor; and that most rounds will lose approximately 100 fps per 100 meters. So a 20 inch rifle, firing a 62 grain round, at approx 3100 fps will travel approx 200 meters before losing enough energy to become ineffective. For reference short SBR's usually start out at around 26 to 2700 fps. 5. Determine gas system. Medium length works for most situations. But since you don't have a whole platoon to support you, or a QRF to come save you...then you may prize second round shot placement. Meaning that you may have to engage large numbers of enemies quickly and you don't have time to miss. For you the rifle length gas system provides more capability. 6. Determine barrel profile. Light barrels are just as accurate as heavy barrels for the first few shots. Then as the heat builds up they begin to open up to minute of man. Sometimes this is good enough. When it is no longer good enough opt for a heavier profile. It will help you maintain your accuracy. 7. Choosing a sighting system / magnification. Pick something battle tested. There are a few options. But, pick something with magnification. You need to be able to determine wether or not to shoot. You need to be able to engage from a distance. And you need to be able select targets from among the battlefield. 8. Bipod, verticle grip, white light, IR illumination, visible dot, flash suppressor vs compensator, So many things to learn. This should get us started talking about what we NEED vs what we want. And where do we go from here. Best of luck, Phil

[@breckfreeride]

Great points! Pretty sure I saw a test recently that proved pencil was just as good as gvt until ya dumped several mags... If your shooting that much you're overwhelmed and wrong... Break contact and run. Also what's your loadout? 6 maybe 7 mags and youre gonna burn em all in 2 minutes? F that!

[@ExtremelyAverageMan]

Perfect Comments do exist, bravo.

[@connorbaz5980]

Amen. I do want to build myself a GWOT Clone rifle, but first I gotta get what's best for my environment. I'm thinking a Battle Rifle in .308 if I stay in East Texas here. Methinks the same would work in Idaho, should I move. Bottom line, if War comes to these shores, we're going to need something a bit more stout than 5.56 which I guess was okay for desert clothing. I say "okay," because of all the accounts of dudes not dying with rounds upon rounds in them. If body armor is a thing, a round with some extra mass will be invaluable. And I may or may not know where to get my hands on some .308 AP rounds... 👀 Anyway, I was thinking of an AR-10, but I know the FAL has an excellent record. Thoughts and suggestions?

[@philliplopez1501]

@connorbaz5980 Just a few. 1. If you choose a DMR round, then get familiar with the DMR role. 2. I recommend you chamber the rifle in .308 as it can also fire 7.62 x 51. 3. Pick the AR10. It is more modern, modular, and shares some parts with the AR15. 4. Pair a quality scope with thermal. It will work best at the 800-1,000 meter working distance the rifle is meant for. 5. consider tracer rounds. they can be useful for walking in fire on a first-time previously unknown target. best of luck, Phil

[@breckfreeride]

@@connorbaz5980 tavor 7, PSA m110, or sfar

[@jackjmaheriii]

If you buy M855 w/ an annealed case, there is a 100% chance that the powder has a flash suppressant in it, so suppressed guns will perform MUCH better at night.

[@seanjarvis1316]

What's an annealed case?

[@nnerrfman6326]

​@@seanjarvis1316 it will look slightly discolored instead of bright shiny brass.

[@mkienert]

​@@seanjarvis1316The neck is heated just a smidge so that it's more pliable. You can usually tell by looking at it. It'll be a slightly different color.

[@sirbalanced5486]

The spiritual realm is 100% real. 2006 I had an experience similar to that.

[@TheAntarcticchamp]

Great ghost story. Gave me chills.

[@noclaim_a224]

Hey y'all. I'm still relatively new to the Barrel and Hatchet community, but as a fellow follower of Christ, I've been loving how these guys mention their faith. I just wanted to say that he's absolutely right about spiritual warfare being real. I've kinda been going through some stuff lately and the enemy has really been attacking me with lies. But God is good and His truth overcomes. Don't give up, keep holding on to the Lord and He will get you through. Idk, I hope this encourages someone.

[@M240D]

Thanks friend. We’re all struggling together

[@wesleyfrix7979]

Amen brother! Prayers for you and your walk with Christ!

[@_astralxinfluenced_2799]

Keep Christ's Armors & Sword at the ready!

[@glennbarr5459]

This messianic Jew approves

[@bjorndavidson9699]

The Holy Spirit pressed me and i gotta ask… wheres the foothold in your life, there is something not under Christs authority that the serpent is holding to, that is why the enemy can still influence you so closely. Remove every foot hold brother. God Bless, and May you stay balanced on this narrow path. If the enemy isn’t bothering you, then he isn’t worried about you, cuz you ain’t walking with the one he hates. Those who walk with The KING… are the targets.

[@crm7624]

Great ghost story! Yes, something similar happened to me. Keep the faith and the good work!

[@revolutionanarchy713]

Thank you for sharing that story!!! That stuff is VERY REAL!!!

[@barrelandhatchet]

It sure is!

[@brazzy1467]

A great video on my birthday. Yay

[@vxnguxrd0311]

Happy birthday dude

[@makevelicustoms]

Happy birthday 🎂 sweet cheeks 💪🏾💪🏾

[@flyoverkid55]

Without watching the video, some basic characteristics come to mind. 1: Reliability. 2: Ammo commonality. 3: Parts availability. The rest is up to you.

[@LordPerique]

I would think that being able to hit a man sized target effectively at your expected engagement distances would be important!

[@flyoverkid55]

@@LordPerique True enough. I've never held a rifle that couldn't do that, even in the military.

[@CephasCastle]

I grew up in a haunted house in Fairfield, CA. It was terrifying. The shower and faucet would turn on in the middle of the night; objects would get moved; electronic talking Mickey Mouse doll would start talking in the middle of the night(nothing crazy said). We ended moving, but my Dad found out the previous owners were into black magic and Satan worshipping, and that house was built on an ancient Native American burial ground. Scary shit.

[@alphahotel3446]

M16A5 (equivalent), ACOG, Geissele trigger, LWRC DI bolt, Sierra 64gr TGK.

[@msquared9605]

Well that’s the last time I listen to one of your videos as I’m laying in bed ready to fall asleep! God bless brother

[@TDOC.99]

Great little side story! I dig it!!

[@christisking1193]

Love the channel. Just an observation, your guns look heavy. Maybe include the weight of each rig while talking about them. I like to go as light and streamlined as possible. I also have never trained night vision and know very little about it.

[@zr9266]

Best fighting rifle: the one you train with. You can have the most Gucci build there is, but if you don't train with it, what good is it?

[@Eric-hx2or]

Excellent info, guys.

[@ReticentIndignation]

Good points, thanks for the video!

[@Jrsydevil7]

Yeah, that's some crazy stuff. That's like the Cherry Point flight line ghost or the one's in base housing or out the back gate. I've been on that flight line, middle of the night, by myself in the middle of the summer and felt a cold chill.

[@benfrank1583]

Happy easter big dog!

[@TrashAnyway]

Good video. Tuning the carrier speed can also be done through the buffer system to run/feed reliably without bolt bounce. In addition to properly gassing, or to mitigate overgas, you can match up spring weight, BCG weight, buffer weight, and buffer material (steel vs hydraulic vs tungsten powder). Also: AmbidexTROUS. There is no tree.

[@williamhsteele]

I grew up on an older farm in Conowingo Maryland along the Susquehanna river. Where they had flooded the old portion of town when they built the conowingo dam. I had a similar ghost/spirit story growing up but it certainly didn’t last an hour 😮.

[@tangomantactical]

Your breakdown was superb. I'm just a LARP'er, with a son in the Corps. I've been building and repairing ,also Cerakoteing (I was a professional auto body and paint tech for 30yrs) AR'S and Glocks since 2015. I've come a long way, and a long way to go. You mentioned your belief....Christian? If so, I am as well since 1994. I can't watch channels where there is a four letter vernacular. If your legit, I'm subbing, liking and sharing. I have a small insignificant channel. Tango Man Tactical. Raw videos,but always clean, children are best probably not watching firearms, but my videos could be watched. Keep up the fight.

[@paladin556]

They have talked about faith before. Remember one thing about language. All Christians are in different places in their walk with Christ. A Christians heart can change immediately but old habits take a little time. I'm not condoning or condemning foul language, just stating what I've seen. I didn't grow up in a house that cussed. I don't cuss in my day to day talk. I have been known to cuss when telling a joke, I'm working on that. I know Christians that grew up in houses where cussing was prevalent and it is hard for them to change their language. They get better every day but it is a challenge.

[@DTreatz]

_"Say it with me...."_ *claps in Hop* _"Lights. 👏🏼 Sling. 👏🏼 Optic.👏🏼"_

[@hoosier_tactics]

awesome short and comprehensive video. a few years ago me and my ex lived in an apt building that used to be a school. we had a bedroom with no windows cause it was an interior room. woke up one night at 230am to a shadow person at the foot of the bed. approximately 7 ft tall, thin, humanoid. first reaction was alarm bit i switched to anger 🤬 and cursed it out. ( it was actually darker than the pitch blackk around it) and it faded away. never had another problem. some years before a girl died in the shower room in the basement from a fall and cracked her head open. may or may not be related. again awesome video.

[@user-cg5nx6fz5c]

the caliber rifle-caliber pistol debate is endless, and its fun and its always great to explore better options, BUT there is A WHOLE LOT to be said for ammo, mag and parts availability, for me a 5.56 AR and a Glock for SHITF, {at least this month}

[@Krazie_Yang]

😮 I need more ghost stories to go along with pews pews!

[@PistonDrivenGun]

I little give is a feature of magazines and between upper/lower per the VSO gun channel

[@John-tx1wk]

"and...yeah...good luck going to sleep tonight and not thinking about that..."

[@PutTheLimeInTheCoconut]

I have a Lancer L15, controls are ambidextrous, flared mag well and light weight due to the carbon fiber handguard 👍

[@jw5297]

Waiting to see if it pays off but I went with an Intergally suppressed upper. My hope is with it leaving the manufacturer that it is tuned properly to the upper, and allow me to fine tune with the lower.

[@1robertcourtney]

Always love your video content. Eerie story at the end there, but yeah, God has authority over it all. Curious what you guys think of the performance of the SOLGW 13.7” combat barrels with mid-length gas system? That’s what I am running currently. Have you done your analysis on one of those?

[@RAMZAVFX]

The only ghosts i want in my house is ghosts of my bloodline. Their normally friendly.

[@RAMZAVFX]

^ I'm not btw ^

[@janfalcon2020]

I like the commentary (yea sorry lol) but two of the critical areas of the rifle were mentioned (handguard and barrel) without giving an example. As far as barrels and budget, the best shooting barrel I have, by far, is a Roscoe Purebred that I got in a sauce pack. Maybe I got lucky, maybe it's because it's bundled and they match the bolt and chamber, not sure but I love that particular barrel. I've been disappointed by a couple of the bigger names. I would be interested in barrels you've had success with. I would also be very interested in an example of what you think is a sturdy handguard. I've yet to find one that doesn't have some deflection out on the end. I've tried several and so far prefer Aero for their lockup and indexing.

[@jakemiles8070]

What grip is on the MK2 by Griffin? Shown 3:30. Please let me know! I normally go K2 Plus but I love how vertical this is!

[@theccwdad]

Reliability and enough ammo should be the main two❤

[@connorbaz5980]

I believe that story. I've experienced things/been close to events I cant explain before. When I was about 4 years old I suddenly got an extremely disturbing feeling one night while staying in a trailer at a friends house. I ran into the back room where my parents were and didn't leave for a good long while. It was so disturbing to the soul that I stayed up for what must have been hours, only falling asleep out of exhaustion. The next morning we went up to the house...only to find everyone else who'd been staying there (it was a big event) listening to a story. Turns out the oldest boy of this family had been woken up and attacked that night by shadowy wraith like figures that materialized out of the wall and ceiling. He claimed they started choking him with an ice cold grip, until his parents barged down the hallway to his room, whereupon they vanished back into the walls. This was a Catholic family, but the oldest boy had recently started praying to a statue of Buddah which he'd been showing off to me the day before. I believe in the Spirit realm and those dimensions we cant see, but I wont ever pray to False Idols. God is King. Satan and his ilk can take a hike.

[@beardedsavage1570]

I’m just here for the awesome comments and to learn as much as I can

[@Cortezuma]

10.5 with a K can is hard to beat for CQB and just roll with a different upper for anything outside of that. 14.5 was the heat for a while but I feel like you might as well go 16 with 5.56... 14.5 is one of those that tries to walk the line between CQB capable and open area capable. In reality if you run suppressed the 14.5 is a bit of a hindrance in CQB and in the open those extra 1.5 inches on the 16 don't hold you back and only help terminal ballistics. So run a 10.5 (11.5 is arguably better but short as reliably possible for CQB is legit) and keep a 16" upper, or complete, for the great outdoors.

[@dissy5563]

Watching this video at 5 am while cleaning my rifle from a night shoot. Ill never get to sleep after that creepy story at the end lol.

[@stevencooper399]

What are some of the handguards you use other than the Knight's.

[@goobertoober95]

"I used to live in North Carolina" yep, thats when we knew it would be a good story

[@JBsX39]

Are tape switches worth it if you are not running nods ?

[@Thisthat1234]

Barrel / BCG/ and optic in that order

[@LiamSGue]

You all ought to check out Haunted Cosmos (and try to collaborate with them too).

[@danielwade7.62x51]

dang love the story bro .... i always bless my house now if i move or anything and pray for the armor of god , bc ive seen some funky stuff too..love the rifle info to hahha😂

[@SquareularScholar]

Oh my... he's back to saying "Rise" II rail.

[@barrelandhatchet]

hahahahahahahahahahah RISE!!!

[@BigDaddy-jo8ig]

Nice set up love the looks and capabilities but not the weight and as far as a base set up to keep running back to to resupply I don't believe no one is going to mantan that very long . I could be wrong but I don't see how

[@Ultrarmx]

Back when I lived in NY. I lived at a house with my grandma Aunt and uncle. One day my aunt went to the attic. She found these old photos and placed it on my uncles desk in his room. That night my uncle felt someone sat on his bed. He was facing the wall. He went and pulled on the sheets. It did not give as if someone was holding them down. As he turn his head he felt the sheets loosen and as someone was siting on them. Ever since then sounds and other weird things started happening. It did not end there. Eph. 6 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

[@John_Connor556]

I had a ghost (young female about 18-20) enter my apt when I had some friends over, it was wild...heard my door open & shut. Opened it & saw this chick just staring at me..asked her 'dafuq are you doing?' & she proceeded to walk down the hallway of this apt complex. I walked after her & eventually the hallway bends & she went around the bend & I was a couple seconds behind her. When I came around the bend she was gone, gives me chills to this day thinking about it.

[@Heywoodthepeckerwood]

That ghost chick was prolly the out of town girlfriend you told your friends you had. Manifestation is real….

[@trevorstephens9490]

What pistol grip is on the MK18?

[@calvins4084]

You should be saying "let's just roll the best f*****g intro out"

[@CT-gx8qf]

Love the video and yes spiritual warfare is real and I have some creepy stories happen to me too.

[@crackshot-tv]

Only exceeded by the hatchet cast podcasts with risky chrisky, that story is the creepiest thing I've ever heard in my life lol. I would have put that house on the market same day lol.

[@barrelandhatchet]

haha it was def terrifying

[@rojuwi]

Good video. And we have been in our house for 20 years and we have a girl ghost here too. We will see her or weird stuff a few times a year but nothing too crazy. Other then you just saw a ghost😂.

[@jeremyp2295]

So for about a solid week in the middle of the night wife would wake me up and we would hear a child running up and down the hallway. Our kids were asleep in bed . You could hear every footfall up and down the hallway several times until it would run and jump on the foot of the bed then it would be gone until the next night.

[@Sic_semper_tyrannosaurus]

i sense a Blurry Creatures episode coming

[@HunterOBrienTV]

I saw a ghost child in a old house in Nantucket. It was turning the lights on and off in the house….creepy AF but it also felt harmless when experiencing it. Then when I got picked up one day, the Uber driver told me that the house was built in the 1700s and a girl died in the house and it was known to be haunted ever since.

[@barrelandhatchet]

bro that is terrifying, some of these older homes have some creepy history.

[@ryang8040]

Ghosts aren't real but demons definitely are.

[@crashdsnowman1]

No stainless barrels, the barrel extensions should NOT be nitride treated, gas blocks should be pinned, 4150cmv or CHF barrels only. Choosing a company that knows how to size the gas port correctly and uses properly heat treated parts is important. At least 90% of all ARs sold are civilian grade, they'll go bang but you never really know for how long. Use standard calibers...5.56 anything else will be hard to find when it comes time.

[@sokyoutdoors588]

I'm a righty and I despise ambi safety selectors.

[@Harlem_Bishop]

What grip are you using on the 11.5?

[@Heywoodthepeckerwood]

That’s the GiJoe Kung foo grip.

[@Harlem_Bishop]

I know right. I need that 🔥

[@jessefioretti2872]

Sooo, Can someone please help me out? I've been looking for the right cheek riser for a long time. the rifle shown on screen at 3:28 seems to be exactly what I'm looking for. Does anyone know who produces it or what it's called? If so, I appreciate the help in advance. Thanks, guys!

[@barrelandhatchet]

That is our new cheek riser that is in development

[@PooFighters_1263]

i Thought Intermediate Gas system is longer than Mid-length but shorter Than a Rifle length Gas system,. Like What Bexxar Arms make.

[@pleaseadoptus]

That you know how to use it to win. That is all.

[@GS-wq4iw]

🧐 cheap apartment=suspicious. Got it😂

[@muricancars797]

Was researching shadows with @Caspersight and Dr Michael Heiser on a cpl Blurry Creatures podcasts. Was referred to this. Hmmmmmm. I don’t know what they are and it bothers me.

[@mrb6100]

Awesome story Yeshua is coming for His bride 🙌🏾

[@J.Young808]

Ambidextrous, there is only one “i” in the word.

[@breckfreeride]

Pistol is the shortest... For silly 7 inch barrels

[@RH03111BFOUR]

The spirit realm is 100% real and Ive had a few experiences of my own!

[@1GruntZPOV]

So… will the amount of civilians running armor now. If you needed a SHTF type of fighting rifle, why are you running a shorty? Just a question on if you guys have done testing on short guns against an armored threat of ballistic tests between shorty and carbine length barrels. Just a question

[@Vinnytwotime]

It was a demon brother. Stay safe.

[@Chevydude1982]

Pistol length is the shortest gas system,there are 4 sizes. U just forgot 1😂

[@ahmadcampbell2626]

Start growing and burning Sage Around and in the house. Whole property if you really froggy about it

[@notyoaveragejosay1577]

The grudge

[@BasementOps]

A supressor hands down

[@000NULL]

Wife doesn't tell you the story because she knows you will freak out, so she tells all her friends to see if they will freak out.

[@OldManMontgomery]

When considering a 'fighting rifle', the primary determination is a firm concept of what sort of fighting to consider. Home defense is not the same problem as declared warfare in the jungle. Or a desert. Or a city. What works well for 'this' may be not suitable for 'that'. I am far too old to be wearing a full set of combat uniform and gear. Nor walking or running for two or three hours at a stretch. Nor seeking the 'enemy' (whatever that may be in my situation), Even if civilization breaks down and police do not exist, I'm too old to do what I did five decades ago.

[@brandongibbs3016]

Nice creepy story. I know of a haunted clock in plant city for sale. Want me to get it for you?

[@barrelandhatchet]

no! i would prefer not to poop my pants

[@ghosta8116]

the one that works...........

[@peachfuds]

Why not run a left-handed upper?

[@beserkking]

Intro got me in a ...!!!WITNESS ME BLOOD BAG!!! [ mad max for the uncultured]

[@dustyrhodes1655]

Bro Dogman almost clapped them cheeks in the shower. Stay vigilant! 😂

[@breckfreeride]

Pencil barrel ftw. And dont hang too much shit on your gun.

[@dangelothompson3649]

Shidddd that house would’ve been hers that day

[@barrelandhatchet]

hahahah for real for real

[@MrBigJake75]

That wasn't a ghost

[@RedDawnReadiness]

Sounds like the 11.5 carbine length barrel is the most reliable simple build there is

[@breckfreeride]

14.5 pin and weld with mid length. Port size matters unless you want adjustable gas block.

[@hetzapark]

cans and 1-6

[@queensryche230]

Have a similar incident when I was younger. Not fun.

[@maxwellcox2844]

Great video! Loved the last piece on spiritual warfare. People like to assign all sorts of crazy ideas to the unexplainable, but if it doesn’t come from God, then you can guess pretty quick where it must be from.

[@kmroldan17]

The girl from The Ring was in the shower with you?!?!?! That would freak the living shit out of me. Lol

[@GuacIsExtra99]

My wife and I saw a Victorian era demon in our bathroom..anyway like and subscribe hope this information about fighting rifles was helpful! Wut 😂

[@bernardbarr2354]

Were you stationed at Pope?

[@superboy305]

Sounded like an evil entity

[@geigelg77]

1st rifle is 5 pounds with optics 2nd no suppressor can’t afford it 3rd A2 bird cage on all

[@joshuawheeler8656]

Just tell us what barrel you're buying😅😂

[@BenDover-ie1ud]

Have you ever seen the sleep paralysis demon?

[@sirbalanced5486]

You mean the floating grim reaper that floats above you & attacks? Yeah…I’ve had that too.

[@Nottherealalex]

This horse has been beaten and dead for so long we’re just pounding the dirt where it was at this point with rifle setups and consideration videos in the gun community.

[@YourFavoriteLibertarian]

Great breakdown! Also, demons flee when you speak the name of Jesus and the power of prayer is real.

[@KillerOFozz22]

I'm skipping to the end. 😏