Top 10 mistakes and wastes of money I see on gear setups.

Today I go through 10 of the mistakesI see most often when I teach when it comes to gear and setups. #firstresponders #minuteman #edcgear #everydaycarry #lawenforcement #preparedness #rangegear #prepared #prepper #gearsetup #firearmstraining #firearms #firearmsinstructor #minutemangear #gunfighter #greyman #rifleman

[@rouchenelvann]

It’s good to see a cop putting out info to help the rest of us.

[@SkywalkerPMs]

As a TECC medic, former combat medic, and RTF medic, I love seeing med kits with tq's still in the wrapper. Well done, Sir.

[@unclefreedom213]

yeah I jump on people for that. That shit makes my eye twitch

[@thomasarmstrong9327]

I don't have near the experience or training you have, but as a lowly security guard, that's one of the first things I did when the client put a first-aid "go bag" in the security office--remove the wrapper from the TQ as I was familiarizing myself with the kit contents. Sterile wrapping on gauze is one thing, but shrink-wrap on a TQ is not an option.

[@dylanbroughton8979]

I don't even know what those mean but NUH UH!

[@IsaiahChapter53isAboutJesus]

A Navy Seal had a rubber band around his tourniquet, and because he lost so much blood, he was too weak to remove the rubber band. Don't assume you'll have two hands either. A bloody plastic wrapper sounds possibly hard to deal with.

[@TadTrueman]

@@IsaiahChapter53isAboutJesusIf he was too weak to pull the rubber band off he was probably too weak to tighten a TQ

[@FREEDOMGUNNER]

Greetings Uncle Freedom! May I give you some techie advice? I recommend converting your camera angle in the reverse so we see everything normally instead of backwards. It's odd when you refer to someone drawing their gun from the right side, yet we see it appearing from your left side. Everything is backwards. Reverse your camera view so it will see and record you as we would see you when face to face.

[@martinsonofwar395]

Here's a tip: you don't need to fill all the molle webbing

[@thomashoward5702]

I bought the Molle, imma fill the Molle 😤😤

[@MrErictank]

Lies, lies, balderdash and poppycock!

[@christianclemons187]

😂

[@Persuasian338]

Every square molle getting filled.

[@dylanbroughton8979]

Heresy

[@kayyyyyydeee]

Love how you’re just telling it how it is from your perspective - you are very much appreciated my man. Thank you!

[@danclas5983]

I'm not a super high speed guy, but I agree with ya 100%. I'm pretty much a bare bones less is more mindset. "I'd rather be alive and not look cool, than look cool and be dead". That's coming from Mickey Rourke, Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man. Love your outlook.

[@markwelpe4844]

Brother…… first time viewer. I like way you talk. Direct to the point and no bullshit. Cheers to you.

[@RamPatriot]

Great direction as usual. Really appreciate the detail. My take - if you don’t have time to test/train a lot of gear, you don’t need a lot of gear.

[@unclefreedom213]

that's sir is an uncomfortable truth

[@ryanburns3921]

Fantastic content. Love what you're doing and the perspective you bring. A lot of us are civilians with limited resources. So, hearing hard truths about what works in the real world is refreshing. A lot of guntubers have lost sight of that and get caught up in just showing the latest and greatest. The fact that this many problems were seen with other officers is scary. Even worse is that it sounded like some of the agencies didn't set them up for any kind of success. Hopefully, the officers learned a lot and took it to heart so they don't have to learn the hard way. But will the agencies make changes to will help them? What kind of power do officers have to correct a problem on issued weapons/ammo? If you just turn a bad rifle into the same armorer that screwed up the first one, can you really trust the next one to be better? Hopefully, you don't mind me stealing the "finger painted rifle." That's a new one for me. 😂

[@gunnersecuador7515]

I spent over twenty years on active duty, and was a Range Master for eighteen of those years. I also provide training to civilians since my retirement. One thing that has been a constant since day one is that, "There is NO cure for STUPID"! Ignorance being from a lack of education or training, can be overcome with time. A majority of what you covered can be solved by training. Marksmanship like fruit, is a perishable skill and as such requires constant training. I have had a number of "Range Fashionistas" show up looking like a Crye or 5.11 advert, with $3K rifles and literally everything you can possibly put on one. It came as no shock to see 6-8 " groups or worse, at 25 meters! I do not ask, "Why is that there, or what does that do any longer"! Reality is often the best teacher. I do strictly dynamic training, do to the fact that the world we live in is not "Static". If you want any chance of survival in a gun fight, you need to be able to Shoot, Move, and Communicate. It's really that simple. So after about 5-7 minutes, all the bad internet driven choices are crystal clear to the shooter. I have found that if a person experiences the pain, and or embarrassment of their bad choices they stand a better chance of learning, remembering, and not re offending. I disagree with your stand on muzzle breaks. For many years I also thought there was no need for a break on the 5.56/.223 platform, that was until I tried one. Yes, it is a bit louder, and there is a higher flash signature, however the ability to rapid fire (Not mag dump) a 4" steel target at 50 meters is a win in my mind. I did a comparison, with the same rifle with, and without the break, and there was a marked difference in the ability to hold the POI with the break. Granted it could be the fact that Precision Armament makes a great break, and I have tried no other brands. All I can say is, "It works". Another big lesson I learned as an Instructor, is that every person is different. We are not all mechanically identical. So what works for one, may not work for others. I tell every student to be leery of any blogger, guntuber, range control monkey, Facilitator, or Instructor that says "This is the light and the way"! The reality is this, most Americans do little to any real training, and are not physically, or mentally prepared for a dynamic situation anyway....

[@BuckF0eJiden]

I run flash hiders exclusively on my rifles. Tune your rifle's gas and buffer system to mitigate recoil, and ditch the brake. If you ever have to shoot in a low light situation, your eyes will thank you. The ONLY exception I'd make to this would be maybe, possibly running a hybrid muzzle on an 18"+ rifle. It's less about the noise and more about the flash. You definitely don't want to give your position away... but it's more about the big fireball blowing out the front of your rifle when your eyes are adjusted to low light.

[@gunnersecuador7515]

@@BuckF0eJiden I do low light, and night training several times a month, without issue. I also do not do static training, that's for sighting in optics, and nothing more. I don't knock another man's kit, so long as it works, and is reliable.

[@jeremyjeremy8795]

Precision makes great brakes, I have the M472 on an Aero M5 build and it shoots like a 5.56, it’s also a 20” HBAR with rifle gas and stock. They look great and are priced very well and even in real testing perform better than much more expensive devices

[@patrickgriffitt6551]

Only question is consisternly hitting a stationary steel plate at 50m is good but how does it translate to a fluid hostile encounter where range and movement cannot be accurately determined?

[@michaelpereira808]

I was going to push back on the light placement side gripe but I see that you took the time to reply to another similar comment. Thank you for taking the time. Because of that, you gain a subscriber. Myself, I like to keep it simple and limit potential failure points which for carbine weapon lights means no pressure pads or wires.

[@buckeyeblaster]

Great advice! Shootin it straight, no BS!

[@AncientGloom]

Hey Uncle. An excellent top 10. I've only been shooting for a few years now, but when I got my first AR, using a thumb-over-bore grip with a vertical foregrip felt incredibly natural. Allows me to pull the rifle into my shoulder and use my weapon light switch intuitively. Couldn't understand why some people gripped them broom handle style. The prevalence of shitty optics is irksome. Amazon airsoft red dots aren't much cheaper than a Sig Romeo 5. My first AR has a Sig Romeo 5 on an ADM mount (the mount included with the Romeo 5 is junk) because I was on a budget. Despite all the bumps and a few drops it's taken, it's held zero. My current rifles have EOTech EXPS3s, but I have to admit, that Romeo 5 has held up. They're only $120!

[@unclefreedom213]

Gangster grip people treated them like the foregrip on a Tommy gun. back in the early 2000s that was a standard as was the magwell grip. We've learned a lot about how to run a rifle thankfully

[@unclefreedom213]

I have zero issues with a romeo 5 I have 2 myself thousands and thousands of rounds still running great

[@The_One_77]

Oh man! Loved this video! 100% agree with everything you said. A lot of times people will add crap to their rifles because of a KZbinr. And they will never be in a real world scenario to use it. Keep up the good work!

[@p51mustang24]

Good advice all around. I will point out though that light placement is not always on 1 particular side of the gun, and may change depending on the rail shape or diameter, your own hand size, and whether you have hook or straight thumbs. The correct side is the one that you can reach without shifting grip, especially if you use tail caps instead of tape switches. The sides you listed are my preferred sides when possible though.

[@frostriver4547]

Great points and things to consider for gear I don’t have… yet. I’m a righty and have one firearm with a left mount. It’s on a Tavor TS12 with no pad, so I put it there to access the tail switch. Also good that it’s pretty well below sight with a cheek weld. I also only use flash hiders for suppressor hosts. That just seems to make more sense. Breaks don’t really help much in a can

[@PATRIOTVET338LM]

I also run my lights on the left side as a right handed shooter. I run them on the underside with a 45° mount so I can access the tailswitch with my thumb, and only barely move my left thumb to do so, while holding my fwd grip. I have pressure switches but I still prefer that quick, slight thumb movement to turn on/off my light as many of the times I have to use it the light is needed to be on for "extended" periods of time

[@davidleekalbjr.3035]

Man, you're right about the muzzle break guys. Boy do I hate getting flashed at the range, by the guy next to me.

[@p51mustang24]

Try moving to an AWB state. Everyone is running a comp or brake.

[@srwarehouseman]

Great vid. Being new to getting training, I did not know what to expect my first rifle class and I’m sure looked foolish. I would love it if when I registered for a class I was given a list of things to bring and a general outline of course of fire. The overall theme here seems to be to test your gear before showing up which is great advice.

[@2amichaelj]

The problem people have is not being able to test their gear properly. Most people are designated to static ranges that don't allow the use of holsters, chest rigs, plate carriers, mag carriers or even allow faster rate of fire than 1 shot every 3-5 seconds. It sucks. And when you show up to a class you've been trained to shoot a certain way because these are the only ranges available without $2,000+ memberships that also require $200 background check and vetting before you're even allowed to go.

[@morganyates6598]

Bro i love your attitude.. i totally get it! Great info!

[@unclefreedom213]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@machinis]

I took a chance on a Cyelee T3 (Amazon) red dot. No issues for over a year still in its original battery. I've had about 500 rds of 223 & 5.56 on a 16" upper, and 100 of 300 AAC subsonic on a 8.5" upper. Proper torquing & blue threadlocker are a must.

[@rubenveris]

Well this is refreshing to watch, a no bs guntuber who gives out more usefull information in 27 minutes than some others do in hours upon hours of content without having to show off the newest flashy freedom dispenser they got. Nice 👌

[@unclefreedom213]

I think the difference is I do the gun game professionally not youtube. I spend 50 plus hours every week at a minimum in kit, range twice a week, I teach at least 3 times a month and I fix and setup guns for several agencies. I'm fact based from a end user standpoint

[@rubenveris]

@@unclefreedom213 Found your video’s just yesterday and have been consuming them! I live in Belgium, not really a gun minded country but I’m into sports shooting and working towards becoming a rifle instructor myself so I can educate people better, hence this is great content to me, keep it up 👌

[@unclefreedom213]

@rubenveris Fantastic do email me if you have questions along your journey

[@mikeu9770]

Unc as always your passion shows clearly in your content thanks for the great info, best idea I got from your channel is to setup training mags I now have training mags for my hand gun & rifle and it’s so convenient I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before.

[@spencer7197]

Good video! Former infantry here and this video stimulated some of my braincells so imma rant a little lol. Belts: Everyone I see in the civilian tactical world runs two piece belts (loop inner belt w/ hook outer belt). Great belts for flat range work or operators going to hit a target. Keeps everything locked in nice and tight. If you try running one for an extended period of time you will hate your life though (I'm talking days to weeks). Belts like the padded high speed gear belts or even the T. Rex arms orion are what I prefer to run. Quick and easy to throw on (you could run em naked if you wanted) and comfortable if you're gonna be in it for an extended period of time. Whatever you decide make sure it works for you and dont get something cause you see everyone else running it. And when you do have something...actually test it. And that doesnt mean just going to the range for a few hours and shooting. Wear it. Go for a hike and see how it rides when you have a pack on your back, do yard work, larp around the house, etc. Get time in it doing a variety of activities. Plate carriers/chest rigs: pretty much everything he said. Even if you do have buddies that could access stuff on your super high speed back panel I would only ever run a watersource back there. Back panels are cool if you are nut to butt and doing cool guy things. If you are out on patrol and spaced out from all the homies...not so much. Just run a regular pack (and hey, it's not as cool looking I get it lol). Also, you dont have to run all your stuff on the plate carrier itself. A slick plate carrier and a chest rig is a solid option. Most plate carriers have a spot where you can clip things like placards on and most chest rigs can be run there. And you could also just throw your entire chest rig and harness over your armor. Keep things scalable. A chest rig and a slick carrier gives you a lot of options. Rifle and Pistols: Cant add much more than what the video covered. For your rifle, have a sling, a weapon mounted light, and some sort of sighting system and maybe a back up sighting system as well. For your hand gun have a light and some good irons. If you decide you want a dot on it get something quality (and holosun makes decent enough stuff but I have seen those side loading battery trays fly open/apart). Kit/gear considerations: Get quality gear. When it comes to nylon products please dont cheap out. The cheap stuff will fall apart. That being said once you have it...dont get new shit until the stuff you have is actually worn out (constantly upgrading when your kit is still perfectly functional is a money drain). Weapons and optics...Look, companies like holoson are great cause they make affordable stuff. If you can though save up a little more money and get something from a company like trijicon. And for weapons, handguns are pretty easy. Stick to your M&Ps, glocks, CZs, FNs, HKs, etc. Rifles...Do your research and know what you are doing. Lots of good affordable options, and some not so good affordable options. I have one really nice $4300 build (optic and everything included in that price). And I also have $1500 build that was built on a sub $1000 rifle. Both have performed flawlessly. Tactical clothing: If you arent military or law enforcement this stuff is stupid expensive for what us as civilians get out of it. Plus if I see you at the range wearing a combat top I will think you are a fucking nerd lol. Clothing thats made for hikers and other outdoorsy folks will work fine (ie it can keep you cool, have ripstop fabric, etc). Will it be treated to have a reduced IR signature and have some neat tactical pockets for magazines? Nah, but who cares. Last thoughts: Sure get all the quality gear and kit you want and need. But dont be maxing out credit cards or making stupid financial decisions in the process. Also, training with firearms is cool. So is hiking, camping, hunting, working out, etc. Develop other skill sets as well and stay fit, happy and healthy

[@cowboyjeff1911]

Loving the Videos. All of My Feelings Are Still Intact 🤘🤠🤘

[@knightcustombuilds6988]

Uncle Freedom! Continue bringing the content that makes you better. Like knowing the difference between champagne and pain. Y'all stay safe and keep shooting 🤙

[@mannygonzalez5936]

We have to try to learn. I’m a relative newbie. But my first day I trained concealed carry draw and reloads to learn that I could not access my spare magazine to reload in my left cargo pocket. But normal left pocket in jeans and shorts easy to get out. And always pointing bullets to the middle. Trained doing that and that worked for me. So for newbies it’s a matter of going and training to learn what works and what does not.

[@corydailey1486]

Great content. I comfortably settled in with a 3x micro prism from PA. Hitting 300 yard targets with no issues. I'd would reach it out further. But 300 is the farthest our ranges go in my area.

[@Rootpuma2.0]

How often will you shoot further than your street? Are you fighting in mountainous terrain? If your rifle is 556 or 223 then your very near its maximum effective range depending on barrel length.

[@chrism2042]

The self builds are good, for people that know how to build them and set them up. I know a guy with a Frankenstein build that's his "go-to", but he has never taken it to the range on our trips. I asked, do you know if it will run? "I've shot it about 100 rnds, runs fine". I didn't ask if it would shoot, I asked if it will run. Crazy thing is, he has as much money tied up in that rifle as I do a Daniel Defense.

[@unclefreedom213]

I've seen that more than once one of my DMR builds I could've bought something super high end. But that rifle shoots half inch with mk262 and I speced it out for what I needed. People get hung up on they built it so it must be good.

[@chrism2042]

@@unclefreedom213 - It's all good if people built them, then run them hard to see if they will stay together. I have a Daniel Defense MK12 that shoots .5" groups with IMI 77 OTM, have not tried Black Hills ammo yet.

[@scottm124]

glad i found your channel, no BS facts over feelings

[@unclefreedom213]

I'm glad you did as well. I never intended it to but being uncomfortably blunt seem to be my trademark

[@jefftabor595]

Good stuff as always.

[@mrshort2379]

great content: personally when it comes to battle belts I like the old school wider load bearing belts that can attach a harness if you so choose, like per say the Condor gen II outer padded battle belt. As far as a plate carrier are concerned, being in a rural area and not going room to room as you would in an urban area, speed and freedom and movement is key. As far as my AR it is a work in progress. The biggest thing is, "I am a useless loser poor bum, and don't have much finances. thanks to an accident years ago that f'ed up my back! so building a rifle and kit is hard to come buy.

[@TristonTTV]

Its so funny you said right side shooters having their tact light on the left that’s hilarious because i just got done building my AR and thats exactly what i did LOL and was thinking to myself i needed to change that and here i am watching your video

[@davidhawkins847]

Agree with all of it. The only issue is that I'm in a place where a "flash-hider" is forbidden (so are suppressors). I since found that the A2 isn't considered one even though it's named one. Personally, I changed to a linear comp for all the reasons you mentioned in order to reduce noise annoyance. I've been caught in muzzle blast and couldn't hear right for the rest of the day, and that was WITH hearing protection. I listen to channels like yours to learn these things to try and avoid issues and try to figure out what may work for my needs and wants.

[@morganyates6598]

So commi-fornia , Illinois, New York or now Washington state..yeah sadly I share your pain😢😢😢

[@dougwright5317]

Yup, me too. Cali sucks in everyway except the weather. I have a liner comp for the exact reason you mentioned.

[@IDFWU650]

Yeah breaks on rifles are obnoxious to the tenth degree. I don’t even shoot rifles at the indoor range to avoid being around one.

[@Cello217]

Yeah nj also, no flash hiders only muzzle breaks or comps. Also all barrels have to be pinned and welded unless its an ar other firearm. But im glad there are ppl trying help others learn. Great video.

[@jcc6356]

Thank you for the instructions. Cheers from Montreal, Canada !!!!!

[@unclefreedom213]

cheers!!

[@silverbrass6711]

Another good one keep them coming 👍👍. No substitute for experience.

[@unclefreedom213]

Thanks, will do!

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

Excellent advice! Over the years I have wasted a lot of money on gear that doesn't work for my purposes.

[@2alphasolutions]

Dude I just found your channel. You just said everything I think and try to tell people. Your are on point sir. Just subscribed

[@unclefreedom213]

Thanks and welcome

[@robertloszewski1347]

Uncle Freedom: dude, you rock! I had to stop drinking my beer watching this video 😂😂😂

[@PhoenixBlaze1776]

I like the Pramary arms slx 5x prism. Not super expensive, looks kinda goofy but its effective and has a great redicule.

[@demographicrenaissance6613]

Can anyone recommend a place where you can try out your plates and your carriers and then exchange them if you ordered the wrong size? It's good advice to get the wrong size, but I don't know a way to order them outside of taking measurements and going by the company's sizing chart. Good advice on what to do, but 0 insight on how to do it. If you buy it, put it on, put all your shit on it, go out and use it and sweat in it- you own it. Any advice on how to find these things out before you waste the money? Maybe some what to do and not just what not to do.

[@itsamk18-ish]

Love those truspec pants, i pick them up used off eBay all the time.

[@unclefreedom213]

They are so good

[@dennisdavid9588]

I dig the video/content. Just wanted to say that I appreciate that you don’t censor the language or try to make it more PG. It hits the right way for me.

[@unclefreedom213]

I appreciate that, glad you're enjoying the content

[@TheFcw5]

As a range oic and rso I also have seen some silly things happen with ppl and poor actions. Even once had some poor boot get a foam earplug jammed into his M16, which I still don't know how it can happen but it did....🤦🏻‍♂️ That set the stage for lesson on awareness and remedial actions.

[@Longrangedisco]

Just bought a pair of Tru-spec pants from Amazon. £78 uk. I’ll see what they’re like on the range. Thanks for the tip. Stay safe brother 🇬🇧

[@Sabre22]

Great lessons BTW I got a lesson on the cheap optic front a couple of years ago now. I picked up a SIG 556 R ( russian) with a no- name 3 x scope and and a no-name bipod. I took it out to the range 4-5 times with no problems. I took it out one more time and looked though the scope and the crosshairs were canted to the left. I don't know how many rounds were fired through it before I got it. I was planning on replacing the scope anyway. I picked up a SIGTAC CP-1. It has not failed yet. I am going to up-grade it to a better scope in the near future. I normally do not scrimp on optics either. I have US Optics, SIG Leupold scopes and Redfield scopes on various rifles. I use Aimpoint red-dots. I think the next Holographic sight will be the Meprolight from IsraelIf you can't see it you can't hit it All of the high speed gear in the world won't keep you alive if you cannot engage the target before they see you

[@JustAverageJeff]

Too many people need to hear all this and biggest thing they could do is actually use their equipment and make sure everything is comfortable and works correctly. Most people with a setup that makes no sense never use it, so they have no idea it doesn't work.

[@themightycrixus1131]

Great video. This is much needed for the community. We all need a reality check sometimes. I always see some dumb stuff in the pictures section of parts online haha

[@unclefreedom213]

Glad you enjoyed it and I agree almost all videos seem to be sunshine and rainbows. It fucking rains and storms some times

[@TATE-d6z]

Have you looked into neo mag magnet clip brother. It’s a quick way to hang ear pro or gloves and easier than a beaner

[@unclefreedom213]

I will have to check it out

[@taylorbowling640]

Is that a Delton rifle in the thumbnail? I have one very similar and it is such a great rifle haven't had a malfunction of any kind since i got it ive got about 2k rounds through it.

[@unclefreedom213]

No that's a build Aero, Ballistic advantage, toolcraft, cmmg, midwest, Rise Armament

[@TATE-d6z]

Another great one brother. Keep up this awesome

[@FirearmsAndFitness]

Hey I know this is an older video but any chance I can get a copy of the Nebraska carbine qual you are talking about? I’m working on a series that demonstrates the different state and departments shooting quals

[@unclefreedom213]

shoot me an email [e-mail] and I will get you hooked up

[@FirearmsAndFitness]

@@unclefreedom213 just emailed you. Thank you

[@FirearmFanatic3006]

Absolutely every law enforcement agency needs to incorporate this video in their next monthly training meeting.

[@unclefreedom213]

Thank you that's high praise

[@texas3003]

Great video, very well stated. Right on point, bro. You have a new subscriber!

[@georgelongus7888]

Love the information! I'm a subscriber for sure!!

[@unclefreedom213]

Thank you

[@C_oprator89]

The pin and weld has always kept me away from the 13.9 gang be cache not being able to service The rifle is a big disadvantage

[@jcee6690]

Great info keep it up thank you.

[@tbjtbj4786]

I didn't see your belt keeper for your hidden keeper cuff key. Or do they go out of fashion?

[@jong1899]

I see I have a lot to learn lol! Thanks for your videos

[@iM0rb1d]

I have a bi pod for my ar10. But I only put it on when I intend to use it. If I don't then I don't put it on. EZPZ

[@jayteefishing1543]

What do you say about the shadow the weapon light displays for a right handed shooter if the light is on the right? I’m a right handed shooter but I put my light on the left of the weapon because if I put it on the right, I’m looking at a shadow from my muzzle. The light isn’t in my way vision wise really at all because my optic is in a riser. I don’t use pressure pads. I have my light set up where I can activate the light with my thumb from the bottom button. That puts the shadow on my 4-5 o’clock.

[@unclefreedom213]

it can be an issue but only really close most lights have enough spill to provide lighting even with thw shadow. Becomes a bigger issue with a suppressor. I find it useful to push the light as far forward as possible.

[@jayteefishing1543]

@@unclefreedom213 yeah man you’re right, I mean I can see in the shadow ya know like it’s not a complete dark shadow. It’s just not as well lit. In my head I just thought it made sense to have the shadow on the 4-5 o’clock if I had to deal with it at all.

[@piratecat990]

For the light on the rifle...honest question: I can't see out of my left eye, so why should I place the light on the right-hand side of the rifle?

[@unclefreedom213]

you shouldn't then since it wouldn't impede your view either way

[@lostknowledge6403]

Stay on the level Brother

[@chronicon5616]

Recommend your favorite combat shirt please. I need a shirt for summer that does exactly what you describe in long sleeve cuz ticks suck (literally), and I sweat buckets.

[@WW_SHTFF_WW]

Get ACOGs, best all-around short to med range scope.

[@isaach.1777]

Bad up close due to excessive magnification and tiny eye box, bad for night vision, and bad for always having to screw with the fiber optic to get the reticle brightness right. Bad because the BDC locks you into an ammo type. Good durability and weight, makes medium distance shooting a breeze. It's got its place, but there is a reason the military and everyone else moved on.

[@woodsghost9088]

Could you cover lights and light use more? I've been running the light on the left side as a right handed shooter. It worked well for 6 years, especially for my shotgun. The last 6 months I've been running the light on the right side as a right handed shooter and it feels awkward compared to the left side and I have not yet noticed a benefit for target visibility. The reason I switched is to see if I can manage the light better without big changes to rifle grip and to manage shooting from the right side of cover better (doesn't impede the light). I use all tailcaps, no switches. I'm not trying to say "I'm right." I'm still learning as I go along in life. I'm just saying "I didn't notice an issue with the light on the left side." I may have been doing something special. I dont know. And as I said, most of my lights are on the right hand side now. Just for a different reason. Based on what you have said I'll get off my butt and transition the last light to the right hand.

[@unclefreedom213]

there is a large difference for tailcap users and I have a rifle setup that way as well left side tailcap activated. I ca. do a video on lights I planned to just haven't finished all the points

[@woodsghost9088]

@@unclefreedom213 As always, thank to for sharing your experience and knowledge!!!

[@Dakattack98]

So I learned a lot from this, especially about light placement. So I'll be switching that. My question is with a shotgun. I have pressure switches on my rifle. I'm not sure what to do with my pump shotgun. It's a wood furniture 870.

[@unclefreedom213]

you can replace the foregrip with a light bearing model from surefire or streamlight both are very good. that is your best option for a pad activated light outside of that it'll almost be a turn on and leave on light. We run the Surefire at work and I have surefire and streamlight on my personal shottys

[@gilbertcaine9227]

I built all of mine with a sling ,a flashlight and a foregrip that's it

[@unclefreedom213]

solid setup I'm the same but always have an optic and irons usually.

[@awsomedude9111]

Would be nice in the long talks to just list everything out at the beginning, you don’t even have to time the video. Really liked watching your videos on ammo. What is good/bad. I blame most of these reasons on my poverty and lack of training.

[@lazurousstrife6973]

i feel your pain, i been teaching rifle and pistol marksmenship usmc for 15 years. most ppl would figure all this out if they would just train with it a little bit, i have all my shooters do dry runs the day before range day to better ensure proper set up. train train train. you dont want to be the one to have your shit messed up on range day, i seen marines show up with bipods and i make them all take them off. we didnt even allow the use of bipods for standard qual. take that shit off if you train well with it you can still make welll aimed shots at longer distances without it. we would even make shots at 500 yards with iron sights with just a sling. if your hog huntin or what ever your gona take sticks with ya anyway which would get you above tall grass. bipod is a waste of space unless your comp shooting like he stated!

[@luguefamily1498]

Earned subscription because of your great content.

[@unclefreedom213]

Thank you

[@stuartniven2401]

Awesome video!

[@mobilegamersunite]

FAB defense foregrip doubles as a bipod at the push of a button 👏 👌 awesome on my AK

[@KCnoSurrender]

Solid list. Subbed.

[@unclefreedom213]

thank you

[@skipkirkwood9935]

What's a better alternative than a thigh holster while wearing external armor/plate carrier? Pistol holster mounted center chest on the plate carrier?

[@unclefreedom213]

a midride is more than okay with plates that's what I run on duty

[@PVMscales]

Keep the 224 Val. content coming!!

[@kaletheleaf3941]

The only reason I've seen for ham fisting a vertical foregrip is for people who clear building for hours on end. From what I've heard, it's a good way to relax your arm muscles while keeping the gun in a ready position.

[@unclefreedom213]

I have found the opposite but not always because tour bicep is always in a flexed position usually when gripping a vertical grip

[@brianc3100]

Hey Uncle Freedom. Please pardon me if you've already covered this but, could you share your thoughts on "Duty" AR's? What are your thoughts on "good enough"? What do you carry for real duty use ("Duty" has become an industry selling point and means almost anything) and what's your SHTF rifle? Thanks

[@unclefreedom213]

I have a specific video about 2 month back covering my AR I run on duty. As well as a DMR video two weeks ago

[@thriftysurvivor6117]

A problem I have is finding either plate carriers or chest rigs that fit me. It appears to me that most, if not all of these are designed for larger people. I stand 5' 3" tall and weigh 130 pounds and no matter how I've tried these pieces of gear hang down past my waist and with my 28" waist they don't tighten down enough to keep from flopping around. This results in inhibiting my stride when walking or running and makes for an unstable platform to hang my gear from. It seems that no one caters to smaller individuals such as myself. I've blown a lot of money on these items attempting to find something that fits me but so far, it's all been a waste of money so I've gone to using a belt or cummerbund only, (not by preference, but out of necessity). I probably should also mention that I have a severe scoliosis which makes my torso short even for someone of my small stature. I probably have the torso of someone who would stand 4' 9" tall or so as my inseam is 29" while I still only stand 5' 3" tall. I'm also on a very limited budget so I hesitate to throw money at anything else that probably won't fit me. Most people of my height don't have much of a chest but mine measures 40" so I hesitate to consider children's sizes which some have suggested. Like I said, I'm on a very tight budget but would be very interested in any information you might have regarding plate carriers or chest rigs that would work for someone such as myself. This may also be helpful for others as well. Thanks in advance, Eric

[@BuckF0eJiden]

Two rules I live by. Ounces make pounds and pounds make pain. And know how to work on, and fix, the things you buy. While it's generally true that you get what you pay for, if you know how your work on, fix and maintain your gear, you can turn less into more. My SPR rig ran me around $1200 with optics and light (PA 4-16x44 with a top mounted Holosun 407c x2) It's built around a KP15 lower and a stripped BCA side charging upper/bolt carrier, but it's built around a Criterion matching barrel and headspaced bolt. I'm not running an IR laser, so I ran with a UTG ultra slim handguard. The trigger is a PSA drop in. The heart of your gun is your barrel and bolt. Your forged receiver groups are ALL manufactured at one of the same three plants, and the milling specs have been the same for over 60 years. If it's in spec, it's in spec. None of those parts are top tier, but they're put together correctly. I'd put it up against any rifle out there, and it easily holds its own against rifle systems that cost twice what I have in it. The most important part of your gear is how much you train with it, and how well it's put together. Brand matters, but far less than KZbinrs will lead you to believe.

[@unclefreedom213]

I like your rules

[@robcommorat2084]

Words to live by😂 excellent content

[@lightreign8021]

We all need to watch our weight. Your body is your most important gear. The whole world conspires to make us fat. Being slender not only allows you to potentially perform all tasks better but it tells others you have the intelligence and discipline to avoid the most common self inflicted handicap.

[@dellontobin282]

Great point. There's a bunch of fat tacticians out there. You can't out gun the enemy, if you fail to outrun obesity.

[@subdawg1331]

great videos try Canada hard to train limited firearms ... but still we train...

[@Mike80528]

My only critique is the "cheap optic". Cheap isn't necessarily poor. Holding zero is critical. Top quality glass is not. WW2 snipers did amazing work with modest glass. The mistake is buying those cheap optics that have everything plus the kitchen sink. If it's cheap, make sure it just does the basics and does them well. There are decent cheap optics available, especially during sales/clearance. Check reviews - and don't trust just one review. Too many shills out there.

[@ThePreparedPatriarch]

"Finger painting rifle' 😅 Bro, this was a very good video. I enjoyed it and will be subscribing after this comment. I look forward to going back and watching your video library. Rock on

[@unclefreedom213]

Thank you glad you're enjoying the content

[@EmpTy-kf2rq]

“Multicam Alpine in the desert”! 😂

[@rudd71753]

Bipods can be used for other shooting positions and cover! Not relegated to just the prone position.

[@unclefreedom213]

yeah but still not useful when you shoot 85 to 90 percent of the time shooting standing

[@rudd71753]

@@unclefreedom213 The only way you will be shooting from the standing 85 to 90 percent of the time, is on a range. Real world you will look for cover and shoot from cover, shooting from the kneeling, sitting or a combat squatting position. You train as you fight, if someone is running bipods,they need to train from the standing to get proficient at shooting from the standing with the bipods. Its better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. Mitigate Murphys Law as much as you can. You can't Respawn and change your loadout in a Actual Firefight or Shootout.

[@unclefreedom213]

and in the real world no such thing as time to deploy a bipod. most common is c clamping hand against a barricade. I ran a bi pod operationally for years sure you can do stuff with it but unless I had time to setup it never got used same with pretty much every other person I trained or worked with. it works great where it's supposed to. Sadly that is not in about 90 percent of real world applications *edit I will say unless I was running dmr for the day I've never missed having the bi pod it's much more effective to support on structure or my assault pack. LE is not the world a bipod belongs on a patrol rifle in you'll never fight that way... ever. In a real running gunfight there are better and more effective and efficient ways to stabilize a gun

[@rudd71753]

@@unclefreedom213 I have used bipods in plenty of firefights, in a defensive position you can deploy the bipods, light and heavy machinegunners will deploy them in seconds, going from offensive to defensive, they are trained to do that, Alot of Riflemen choose to use bipods for the same reason. I'm not Law Enforcement, so our Tactics wull differ but to each his own. I have been training DM since we implemented the position in 2004 in Iraq while in Combat, using a M14 with a Leupold Mark 4, way before all of these DMR rifles were even thought about,so I fully understand the Tactics of implementing DMs, no better place to come up with SOPs and TTPs when you are implementing experimenting with methods with all of the Combat factors in full effect and not just flat range experience.

[@aaronj08ar]

​@@rudd71753uh huh

[@WW_SHTFF_WW]

Telling if apples are ripe can be hard. You can taste them, but if you look at the seeds, they tell part of the story. If the seeds are white / light color...unripe. If the seeds are dark...ripe.

[@2amichaelj]

It's usually the people not the kit. Most the time is the kit is doing what it's supposed to. It's the user that isn't using the kit correctly.

[@nathanleonard2245]

I agree with most u said...except on lights. I would never recommend a tape switch. Anyone that's done anything at all knows they're shit. Support hand side tucked into the rails as much as possible

[@unclefreedom213]

I agree and disagree I've broken both of them and I've seen white light ND on both. Mod buttons are great streamlight pad not so much. Lowest common denominator tape switches are the easiest to run I've also run both in and out of bad situations I will say prior to 2010 or 11 tailcap all the way those pressure pad were awful and died if you looked at them

[@John-tx1wk]

Mike Glover is going to be surprised to hear he's apparently never done anything at all.

[@jeffshermer9361]

Is a brake on an ar15 really louder than a flash hider when you are inside a room? Seems like sound will bounce around off of walls either way.

[@unclefreedom213]

yes it is. Brakes cause increased concussion of the muzzle. They are both loud but a brake will always be louder than a comp and a comp always louder than a flash hider. Brakes direct the gases and flash to the sides the sound you hear from a gunshot is the rapid cooling of gases exiting the muzzle. So when a devices channels and uses those gases to mitigate recoil you get more flash and lots more sound

[@kevmoful]

My son is 13 and he wanted a cool muzzle brake for “high speed” and whatever. I rented an AK at the range with a Lantac Drakon brake and made him stand in the lane next to me as I mag dumped into trash . He no longer wants a muzzle brake . Haha only got about 4 rounds off before he admitted I was right . Will say that thing worked really well but it was the most obnoxious thing I’ve ever shot outside of a 7” AR.

[@joelquinn2037]

25 yrs and my bat belt is still [mostley] full. No extra.mags at the moment or pepper spray but have a taser.

[@DoorKnocker]

Think you might wanna have a pre-req equipment class to your rifle class?

[@unclefreedom213]

This is a standard LEO class at the academy to become a LEO. Agencies set the stuff up on the rifles but they all leave fixing things

[@Ahohuasca]

One that a lot of people completely over look is clean your weapons after every use and scrub the copper fouling out of the barrel!

[@unclefreedom213]

I would be cautions on scrubbing the barrel my distance rifles need some copper build up to shoot at their most accurate

[@IsaiahChapter53isAboutJesus]

Were you ragging on LEO for buying camo vests, guys who mismatch camo to their environment, or just camo vests in general?

[@westernoutpost4154]

I have a box filled with absolute crap from the late 90's. Learned a lot about buying garbage optics 🤦 Although I still dig and run quad rails to this day.

[@unclefreedom213]

Oh I love a quad rail

[@chiquitosusa]

I’m a Hugh fan of the FAL which is the rifle I used on my Military service in Argentina on 1981/82 Falklands war and I see that DSA offer the FAL they make with the bipod and believe me I never see a FAL with an bipod on all my time in service and the FAL was the only Rifle there

[@patriciahutson]

Used to see the HBR FN SLR with a bipod here in NZ , served 76-96.

[@MissingLinkMTB]

The worst I've seen is a drop leg holster that also holds the magazines. You now have to cross draw from your opposite leg your magazine or fumble completely as you're holding your firearm and drawing the spare mags with the same hand. This is what the military has chosen to bless us with here.... Several of us have gotten our own rigs.

[@tommyg2966]

3 mags on the strong side chest of my FLIC ... the one on the holster is last mag never first mag

[@ricom7091]

From tacticool to practicool.

[@wendysbaconator1175]

Your kit and weapon tips. 1) make holes 2) stop holes 3) plug holes 4) you don’t need to fill all your Molle 5) take the TQ out of the wrapper, please. 6) make sure all your stuff is powered by rechargeable batteries 7) get a good charging handle 8) don’t buy Amazon optics 9) standardize your ammo stock