Use a Rifle That is Functional Rather Than Fancy for Fantasy

In this informative video, Reid Henrichs of Valor Ridge discusses traits of a useful, quality rifle. As usual, we strip things down to the most simple and easy way. #firearmtraining #firearmsinstructor #secondamendment #patriots #foundingfathers
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DISCLAIMER: The materials available through this channel, Reid Henrichs, or Valor Ridge(including any show, episode, guest appearance, etc. appearing within) are for informational and entertainment purposes only.
The opinions expressed through this video are the opinions of the individual author.
FAIR USE: In the rare instance I include someone else’s footage it is covered in Fair Use for Documentary and Educational purposes with the intention of driving commentary and allowing freedom of speech.
IMPORTANT: All shooting is done on state-approved firing ranges by trained professionals. Our videos are produced in a safe environment by highly trained professionals with decades of experience. These videos are strictly for educational and entertainment purposes only. Imitation or the use of anything demonstrated in my videos is done AT YOUR OWN RISK. Do not attempt to replicate the actions featured in our videos without the proper training, licensing, and medical professionals present.
We are not attempting to sell you the items featured in this video. We are not instructing our viewers on how to modify firearms, accessories, or otherwise change their basic legal function. All firearms and accessories are legal products commonly available in stores all across the United States. Our videos are for entertainment purposes only. We are not a gun shop and DO NOT sell or deal in Firearms. Such a practice is heavily regulated and subject to applicable laws. I DO NOT sell parts, magazines, or firearms.

[@ReidHenrichs]

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[@Mavrck-it2kq]

I've been waiting for this to kind of catch on so sick of seeing guys saying you need this 5000 dollar monster to go to war when most of the people in the world don't have anything anywhere that nice when they actually go to war. Nobody shoots their guns no matter how nice or how shitty.

[@clydegreenehaywoodco]

Amen about the injuries!!!! My Dad and our friend had an extremely severe boating accident in Lenoir City below Knoxville Tennessee when there boat turned over in the spillway at Fort Loudon Dam. They weren't supposed to survive but God had other ideas. My Dad drowned and was in cardiac arrest 3 other fisherman pulled them out of the water. They worked My Dad then put him on the bird and he was flown to UT. He loves to coon hunt so I bought him a smith and wesson victory and a ruger 10-22 charger to hunt with because he already had neck issues from being hit in the head by a tree and with the boating accident he had a compound fracture in his RT arm so he is got a lot more arm and shoulder issues so I know what your talking about

[@belligerentinstigator944]

If you have the money, you can do both!

[@fearrogue]

What do you think about the police that confiscated the guns from those people in the fishing boats?

[@clydegreenehaywoodco]

@fearrogue I don't know what your referring to

[@momonthephone1]

Perfect video Reid. Thank you for the WISDOM rather than INFORMATION. We are in the age of information but not in the age of wisdom. God bless!

[@2AToday]

Outstanding observation. You’re completely right.

[@Slippindisc]

I haven’t watched the video yet but this is a great point.

[@Emilianoo8]

But with information comes wisdom just depends how stupid you are on being able to make sense of it

[@MilitaryMarvel1939]

Reid is as wise and full of common sense as they come.

[@AnnoyoTribe]

I'm a simple man. On my rifles I believe in the trio: sling, light, optic (including back up irons). I don't knock people for going above and beyond, I'd just advocate that they train hard with their setups

[@kevinpiimauna1293]

All my pressure pads led to NDs of the light when slinging so I got scope covers for all of em. I prefer a regular button on the flashlight mounted at 11 o’clock, but that doesn’t work so well on the shorties. I also got a bunch of 2” elastic webbing to make sling keepers with

[@steemerxaxon1643]

I would STRONGLY ENCOURAGE anyone to take Notes & listen to Reid Hendrichs on ANYTHING he says about the 2A COMMUNITY or any kind of Training as much as ANY military on the planet

[@MechInvent]

Thank you for your unwarranted permission

[@unmalo2768]

@@HWG-wm8ld - Can we evaluate that premise?

[@johnniewasr5740]

Are you his hype-man?

[@Cornpop8]

Man I was in a rifle fight two years ago that lasted an hour, and I learned valuable lessons. The main one being, people are hard to see without some magnification even at 90 yards. I have a LPVO on my patrol rifle but I’ll always keep the back up irons on it.

[@GiacomoRavioli]

Where was this rifle fight? Did you, at least, have any snacks and water?

[@royayers276]

A gun fight that lasted an hour? wow your a legend. You must have had the unlimited ammo cheat code.

[@michaelkennedy996]

Spoken by the man that performs the 100-7 with iron sights and gets good hits! Truth! Thanks Reid. Enjoying American Rifleman

[@libertyseeker8495]

Under pressure why limit yourself? We have great tech use it.

[@heythere4970]

​@@libertyseeker8495 100%. I'm sure most of us either don't have the time or money to shoot as much as we'd like. Of course practice with irons, but it's so much easier to land hits with an optic, which is why they're universally used on duty.

[@wittmer341]

It’s not much easier with optics when your optics fail.

[@heythere4970]

@@wittmer341 In that very unlikely event use backup irons.

[@wittmer341]

@@heythere4970 with proper practice shooting with irons is as effective as shooting with a red dot optic. The fundamentals don’t change. There are advantages and disadvantages to both.

[@RenoMay]

I got all sorts of fancy kitted out guns for all sorts of uses. But my AR I actually keep for personal protection/home defense is simple as hell. Red dot, flashlight and that’s it. I have a magnifier I can attach if I wanna take it to the range or gonna be traveling around with it.

[@RenoMay]

7.4lbs unloaded

[@beelow84]

the ar or the 5 head?

[@denisdegamon8224]

You are absolutely right. A red dot and flip up irons are the ticket. Simple, reliable, effective, and rugged.

[@johnniewasr5740]

Same here, plenty of fancy to choose from, but the simple one is the go-to.

[@MrMcGuy]

I have personally experienced optics failing in Reid’s class and finished the day with irons. This man speaks the truth folks. Go train with him right away. You will not regret it.

[@Freeeeeeeedoooooooom]

Thank you Reid. I have always been of the same mind. I prefer the 20" barrel myself. I'm not even attempting to clear any buildings anymore. You share solid wisdom with your viewers. I have always preferred iron sights myself. It's a shame that so many folks have been swayed by marketing and "gurus". Solid training with a basic rifle is all you will ever need. You nailed it Reid. Semper Fi brother, have an awesome day.

[@Mother-Company]

Since taking my first Valor Ridge class nearly 3 years ago, I have scaled way back to a simple iron sights, sling, and light on my Daniel Defense rifle. It is light and simply works. I have the bin of shame in the gun room to remind me of all the money I have wasted over the years.

[@jcohenoutdoors]

Same. Wanna buy some?

[@dragonsofthunder]

That's all I run with and occasionally a red dot

[@heythere4970]

GAFS is your friend.

[@latigomorgan]

“Bin of shame” 😂 Don’t we all? At least the lasers make great cat toys.

[@sheepdog916]

Irons are Objectively, Physiologically inferior to most Modern Optics. Hope this helps 👍

[@falconcowboy9995]

I had a naked rifle when i first started 7 years ago.....i started adding stuff gradually until last year......i just removed everything back to the basics........huge difference.......great video

[@unmalo2768]

I'm a 62-year-old former Army Infantryman with a few deployments under my belt. In the peak of athletic days, I was 5'8", 175 pounds, I used to run sub-4 marathons, bench 250, squat 400, had 6% body fat...then I got old! Haha! Is there a rifle set up where I can sit in the shade with a cold beer and the rifle will shoot for me? LOL!!! But seriously, is there? LOL! Ok, ok, I just want to say that I have been watching Reid ever since he was with Tactical Response. He was a younger guy but was full of good knowledge even back then. Listen to this guy, he will be the beacon of common sense in the gun community for years to come.

[@theintrovertedcalifornian5047]

Im a 51 year old infantryman and I prefer my rifle set up with just iron sights and none of the other bullshit people put on their rifles nowdays.

[@Excalibur01]

@@theintrovertedcalifornian5047 Define other bullshit that people put on their rifles?

[@theintrovertedcalifornian5047]

@@Excalibur01 my definition of bullshit on a rifle is probably different than your definition of bullshit on a rifle. Let’s just say I like my rifle to weigh in at no more than 6.3 lbs which was the original weight of the m16

[@Excalibur01]

@theintrovertedcalifornian5047 ok but you haven't told me what counts as bullshit on a rifle

[@theintrovertedcalifornian5047]

@@Excalibur01 not in the mood of getting into a long winded discussion with you about it

[@homeinthewhiteoaks]

As an LEO what we use to see with optics a lot was someone running AC on artic mode then pull a rifle from a car. In the humid summers the entire rifle would "fog" up and be as wet as a can bottle of beer. The first time you pulled the optic up it was milky white on those late summer nights. I assume your home AC could do the same thing, iron sights are a must on a fighting rifle! There are better fog proofing chemicals out there these days, but I still don't trust a scope or optic on its own.

[@boomanh63]

I have a red dot, back up irons, a white light and a sling, nothing else needed for my needs.

[@andrewjuriansz2056]

@@HWG-wm8ld its belt-fed

[@overlordisgoogle8431]

Love the content Reid. Keep at it we find a lot of value in it!

[@johnelliott7375]

From my family of Veterans from WW2 to the present day we wish you and your family a blessed Memorial Day weekend! Thanks again as always for sharing this with us today!

[@ImpulseScooterTeam]

Good advice. I served US Army 1984-1988 Ranger 2/75 Bravo Company, Ft. Lewis , WA. all we had was 20” barrel M16A1 it worked fine.

[@MrChuckwagon55]

@@HWG-wm8ld- Lt. Col. Peter North.

[@LRRPFco52]

​@@HWG-wm8ldNo such thing in the Army, but I know what you meant. In Ranger Regiment, PLs come and go and nobody gives a crap about them unless they're prior service Rangers or SF, or really exceptional studs, and then they're gone anyway. The junior, mid, and senior enlisted are the ones guys remember, and maybe the BC.

[@LRRPFco52]

When did you get A2s? I thought it was during that time. 2/75 had A1s in Grenada '83, and A2s in Panama '89.

[@FlayvorOfEvil]

I did some training with 2/75 back in 2018 and I was surprised to see most of the guys carrying M4A1 Block II rather than the Mk18 that I always hear that SOCOM doing. The specialty guys did carry SCAR 17s though.

[@LRRPFco52]

@@FlayvorOfEvil Ranger Regiment got M4A1s starting in 1994, and were some of the first to get the KAC RIS, ACOGs, Aimpoints, Surefires, and PAQ-4Cs from then through 1997. We deployed with them to Panama for JOTC in late 1997. They even had ACOGs on 240s and Aimpoints on Para-SAWs then. SF didn’t get a lot of that stuff until later, and had some different optics like the ACOG Reflex, as well as 1 out of 4 carbines allowed NT4 KAC suppressors. SOPMOD Block II came later in the 2000s. They had updates to KAC RAS, PEQ-2A, Eotechs, PEQ-15, Surefires, and Mk.46 LMGs, before Block II SOPMOD rails came along from DD. Key leaders got Mk.18s in Ranger Regiment, which also got updates with SOPMOD Block II rails from DD and suppressors.

[@AntiFederalist58]

Katrina? Surely Reid wasn't going door to door confiscating firearms.

[@ExtremeUnction1988]

We might need an answer to this. 🤔

[@RobertSmith-nh9qu]

Optic fail in combat on American soil??? A lot wrong with that statement - Rifle info spot-on with the exception of having optic as primary with a set of quality irons for back-up. Red dots are made to shoot with both eyes open (better field of view) and are threat focused (focus on threat and paint with dot), which in my humble opinion is a game changer in a high stress situation... USMC 0351 myself.

[@MechInvent]

​@@ExtremeUnction1988are you actually serious? He's answered this many times in the last 10 years... And it's an obvious no.

[@noah.s95]

@@RobertSmith-nh9quyou can target focus with iron sights with both eyes open. Like a shotgun bead.

[@ExtremeUnction1988]

@@MechInvent he’s got a lot of videos and I certainly haven’t seen even half. Totally possible. I’m not accusing him, just want to know. I’m happy to take your word for it.

[@jphin9981]

Excellent video! Thank you!!

[@thomasmoorman5328]

This is exactly why I respect you Reid you do not sell products you believe in training and shot placement only. I was blessed to spend time on your range and learned a lot. Yes a simple rifle with sights sling and light is all you need. I also suggest securing any light or optic with Zip ties thread locker and or wire.

[@kennymclendon6642]

I've been watching you since the early days with TR and I have always thought you were right on with your mindset. Thank you for sticking around and helping guys like me try to get it right.

[@889976889]

This is why I watch you Reid always keeping it real! I see so many guys put on so much gear that can’t hit the broad side of a barn.

[@sethblack5309]

I busted out laughing when you said "you might have other issues?" 😂

[@samuelg3586]

Great video Reid. Thanks for what you do!

[@samuelg3586]

Hands down the best video I've seen on how to setup a rifle.

[@real.gun.powder.taco44]

Awesome video. Thank you 🙏

[@carlosspeicywiener7018]

Great video. In addition to being very essential and practical as a rifle, my personal rifle has a ferro rod w/striker, a tool kit, spare parts and batteries, 50' of paracord, 200' of tripwire, a cable saw, button compass, micro maglite, and a fishing kit in or on it. The only electronics on it is a low power red/white navigation light.

[@benjamingrimm6110]

excellent thinking. Well formatted

[@williammecham7038]

your realistic approach is why I keep watching your video's .

[@ddprepper5227]

Excellent report

[@SchecterMongoose]

IRLS - Irons, Red dot, Light, Sling

[@docgillygun9531]

Agreed. Althoug for my home defense set up I did install a cup holder, beer bottle opener, and a holster for the Tv remote. It was a splurge but well worth it in the end.

[@dragonsofthunder]

In Real Life S#!+

[@dragonsofthunder]

That's all I in my Daniel Defense DD4V7 SLW Arid Rattlecan and Palmetto State Armory PA15

[@me2ontube]

​@@docgillygun9531if you ain't got the remote holster then ... YOU NEED TO SAVE UP N GET 1 DAMMIT !!!

[@chizorama]

Bout ready to give micro prisms a shot as my eyes get worse by the year.

[@TripleAAA53]

Absolutely timeless instruction as always!! Semper Fidelis Brother

[@justanothergunnerd8128]

Solid practical advice! Well said.

[@TheresOnlyOneWayToRock]

Thanks for this info. 👍

[@Steelcity77]

Great video, thanks! 👍🏼

[@mattj.7756]

This is a welcome breath of fresh air.

[@MrToad-actual]

Thank you, Reid. KISS👍

[@retro9590]

Great info Reid, thank you!

[@johntoothman4888]

Thank you!

[@matthewstreeter8805]

Reid is the best! Seriously y’all if you haven’t subscribed do it, so worth it!

[@Dragon-yw4xw]

Love your channel, down to earth and effective. I can tell you are teaching skills, not selling products people don't need.

[@Frank7G]

Seeing these video brings a smile to my face because all I have on my defensive rifle is a light, red dot, flip sights & sling. Also, I'm getting back into shape. At 34 I've really let myself go over the years.

[@chizorama]

Glad to hear it & keep up with that. I was in good shape in my 30's, got lazy in my 40's & am now paying for it in my 50's. It gets harder to get back into functional form the older you get.

[@Frank7G]

@@chizorama 🫡 thank you for the words of inspiration. It's crazy how fast time flies by.

[@guyring8912]

THANK YOU! As a former infantryman that carried M16A1 & A2 the iron sights are the most reliable and durable! Tell it!

[@tedr.richardson4655]

Thank you Teacher.

[@benwilliams6221]

"The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone..." We all have a responsibility to train. Great video.

[@leroyparker1182]

Great video, thank you 🙏

[@richardwalsh5161]

Great video, thanks.

[@joesashiify]

All true. Thank you sir. 👍

[@phillipcraddock8248]

GREAT POINTS YOUR MAKING

[@walkercustoms]

Thank you

[@irafowlerjr.7492]

Very helpful, thanks

[@jeremyhartsell2750]

You were doing sweeps in Katrina? What were you sweeping for and were you finding what you were expecting in these sweeps?

[@Patriot_-xe9qw]

I’m curious also. Reid is a constitutional guy 100% so I don’t think he would be there trying to collect guns or violate somebody’s 2A rights. Anybody that would do something like that needs to have their American card pulled and shipped off to the middle of nowhere.

[@gator7082]

@@Patriot_-xe9qw There are a lot of former military and police that are very libertarian these days based upon their experiences. I know I am one of them. It took me until my third tour to Iraq to realize I was nothing but a stormtrooper for the empire.

[@rockym6557]

I'm curious as well.

[@clanceyrussell8773]

It got my attention when I heard him say it

[@zachscott4867]

It was a long time ago but that statement gave me the shivers. People can change though and the knowledge he puts out is top notch, I’m staying.

[@hawk6978]

Thank you for sharing your thought sir.

[@blackbird_actual]

Very reasonable advice - if the techniques that someone presents are only really usable for a certain portion of the population, it may be wise to take a step back and reevaluate. Certainly someone in peak physical condition, if they have the fundamentals mastered, will outperform most when it comes to metrics such as speed, but any technique advertised as being useful for citizens' self-defense/preparedness should apply to a wide range of people.

[@samuelg3586]

Love the simple setup with the 20 rd mag

[@user-gd9dh2ke4f]

Fantastic video Reid! We need more videos like this from firearms instructors. Keep it up.

[@iammattbennett]

Good stuff as always.

[@regularguy192]

Excellent video Reid.

[@leonardsmith8516]

Great information

[@paulsimmons5731]

Great information thank you.

[@shanebuechner1429]

Great video. Solid, sound information. Thanks for addressing the long term mindset.

[@mikethefz07guy79]

That Colt 6420 was my first patrol rifle issued to me by my Department. I loved that rifle, especially when assigned to a perimeter detail.

[@countryfriedent]

great info!!

[@warriorhealth2172]

Long time Subscriber. Keep up the great work.

[@Mockturtlesoup1]

God, I can't believe it's be _10 years_ since you opened Valor Ridge! Congrats man!

[@terrarecon]

Never seen the channel, instant like because I LOVE the title, about function and utility versus prioritizing rile looks for the front cover of COSMO!

[@gatorhkman]

Right on Reid! 100% on all aspects of opinion and theory. Amazing how many shooters confuse need vs want, practical vs fantasy.

[@Tankman333]

real good stuff Ried

[@bangabruhh8291]

So solid. I’ve been subbed since you were at tactical response with James. Thank you for all the info and perspectives you’ve allowed to absorb over these years!

[@redgeypedersen41]

Thankyou for your knowledge it's worth more than gold!

[@teamstucker624]

Great video 👍 always a solid message straight to the point. Thanks for the knowledge and advice.

[@xciteful]

Your emphasis on 'strength' hooked me in - that was a great diatribe.

[@warwolf6359]

Win with geometry! I love it! Thank you!!

[@gabe321]

Very wise info I appreciate it 👍🏼

[@cristobaltorres6185]

Outstanding 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@dhpat805]

MAN CARD! Oh my goodness, Reid! Awesome stuff!

[@hk45c62]

Well said Reid.👍

[@dragdragon23]

I keep going back and forth on this issue, what to have and how to use it, for the AR platform. this vid helped in my final setup!

[@jo03rsxs]

This man is a wealth of knowledge, we truly are privileged to have this info you give for free Reid. I value every video you release and try to soak up all the information you provide, especially in these times we are in now. Thanks Reid for all you provide 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇮🇱🇮🇱

[@johnelliott7375]

Agreed 💯% with you with the no Iron sights! Got to have the Iron in case of any of the above reasons you have mentioned!

[@williamflinn163]

Outstanding! I prefer simplicity as well.

[@RoundCount-bs1ui]

Great discussion. I use a pretty basic 20 inch government setup with a light and plain carry handle irons. At 50 yards I can keep 5 shots in about an inch or so. That's more than enough for what I'll ever realistically need the gun to do. Simple and reliable 👍

[@pappy451]

more than enough for most if they are honest about it .

[@dpete8995]

Good info… thanks Reid!

[@ogcabbage6213]

We can never stop learning.

[@richardturk7162]

I am a proponent of keeping your rifle simple. Know how to be proficient with your rifle. All the fluff can stay home. Reid tells you the truth and doesn't hold back. Very useful advice.

[@williambehan1982]

Great video Reid! I was glad to hear you talk about people in my age group with limited abilities! Looking forward to talking with you & coming to your facility soon!

[@jurgo_01]

thank you

[@1badm6]

I love your content it's absolute truth

[@lastminuteman]

Excellent information 👍

[@scaleworksRC]

Good stuff, brother. Thank you. ✝

[@sciugasalvage]

Great video, subbed!

[@brendensteinhauer7181]

I love, Reid! I love the simple rifle set up mindset too. Nothing wrong with it. However, if you don’t have night vision and thermal you’re dead! Period!

[@poolee77]

A lot of these comments are people without those items coping.

[@Eric-vx1od]

Keep talking, Reid. Always solid content. So true. Slim down and run slick. I'm trying to get free to take one of your classes. I just want you to know how much you advocate for our rights and doing right means to me in Ohio. Stay strong and keep putting out great content. Shall not be infringed. Blessings.

[@mrjackdaniels0309]

Thanks!

[@mrjackdaniels0309]

Thank you for sharing the wisdom!

[@theduvalrant]

I was listening to you until you said "had on optic fail on me in New Orleans, during a building sweep during Katrina." What exactly were you doing in that building, sir?

[@royayers276]

Looking for guns to steal and americans to arrest.

[@user-du4ky2fy7q]

You dont remember what happened during Katrina? That entire town was worse than Mogadishu.

[@theduvalrant]

@@user-du4ky2fy7q are you forgetting about the over stepping leo going door to door gun grabbing and punching old ladies? That was my concern. I'm will aware of the state of the area even in "good times".

[@Brijay02]

Thank you sir. I am in the process of purchasing/ building a do all rifle and this is great advice, especially about the fixed sights, the weight of the rifle, etc. I am going to use this video as a reference guide. Thanks again

[@RiflemanReveiws]

Fail on you in combat, during Katrina? Now you have my attention.

[@isomchapelle2956]

He worded that poorly. He may have used Katrina as an example because it came to.mind first.

[@ViktoriousDead]

Only thing I disagree with here is the SOCOM barrels, they’re only 2oz heavier than the ubiquitous “gov profile” and are absolutely dead accurate, and have crazy longevity. I used one my entire military career in SOF, and have one now aswell, the barrels may be the best tradoff on weight vs accuracy/longevity (they’re all rated sub MOA, they’ll outshoot 90% of shooters) I understand the thought process of saying your average person doesn’t need that, but the average person also doesn’t seem to quite understand the SOCOM barrel, the weight and tradoff, it’s a medium profile barrel. Otherwise I like the straightforward nature of the video here, going down optic/light combos for AR15’s and every other price of furniture is a bottomless rabbit hole of bullshit I also did a deployment where my eotech was shattered and the flip up front sight was actually bent/unusable, the EOTECH still functioned.

[@Bayan1905]

Over the years I've seen rifles that were practical and it's amazing how simple most of them were. I was the caretaker for the rifle that belonged to the Hamilton County Sheriff of NY and was in the trunk of his car, this would have been back in the late 60's, and into the 1970's, it was a Winchester Model 70 Featherweight in .308 with a Lyman receiver sight that had the widest aperture on it. I got to handle and shoot this gun and I was amazed how quick that gun was to get on target and for a bolt action, pretty quick. I live back in a pretty rural area and one of the guns you see a lot in use to this day, lever action or even pump rifles. A pump Model 760 Remington carbine in pretty much any caliber up here on the shelf at the gun shop is gone in a day or two, with .308 I think being the most popular these days. I've always worked well with the old standard, a Model 94 Winchester in .30-30. All of those guns are great working guns, especially in places where politics makes having a semi auto less beneficial with magazine limitations or just neutering the guns etc. Right behind that is a decent pump shotgun.