Kind of a big picture question I have about balancing your duty needs (in my case military), personal needs/wants, “training like you fight”, etc… A while ago I asked about wether I should buy my own M9 even though I didn’t really want one, it made the most sense since thats what I carry down range.
For those that face this dilemma or just have a decent idea, how far can you’re personal gear detract from your issued before the training no longer crosses over, or is it not an issue?
The below examples may seem nitpicky and training is for the most part training, what I am talking about is can any of these lead to, I guess incompatible muscle memory when I sign out the M4/9? Most of my training is unfortunately on my own with my personal weapons, and I want it to crossover as much as possible, but if I can achieve that with the weapons I want and not just clones of what I have at work I want to do so.
Some specific examples,
I carry an M4 with either an Eotech or an ACOG. It would make the most sense to put either of those on my personal M4, but when I buy my own optic (currently borrowing an M2), I would rather get a T1 or 1-4. Is running an optic running an optic, or is there a real difference? (obviously magnified vs red dot is a different debate im not trying to start)
If I do get an M9, I would rather buy the updated M9A1, but that isn’t what I carry…so if I’m going to buy a weapon with different sights and a beveled magwell, is that such a difference that I defeat the purpose of the M9 and may as well just stick with the GLOCKs I actually want?
Lets say I put together a rifle and it’s the “latest and greatest” combination, Battlecomp, 14.5" mid length, A5, noveske FFL, gisselle (again not starting the trigger debate, just an example), is it going to be that drastically different from my beat up M4? Will I end up “spoiled” with the latest and greatest?
I dont think that you get too spoiled by the latest and greatest when going from home to work gun. But you do feel out of your comfort zone. I run an EoTech on the home gun, and am issued an Comp4. With all the rounds I fired thru the EoTech, the simple red dot just felt unfamiliar. So I brought the Eo with me overseas and run it.
It will just take some dryfire to adjust to the trigger pulls, etc. from home to work gun.
use what you want for your pesonal weapons and equipment, i carry a Glock 17 daily when i am CONUS and carry a M9 OCONUS. I didn’t find the transition all that difficult after taking 15 minutes a day to dry fire with the Berretta. I am actually very pleasantly suprised with the M9 as it is accurate, reliable, and durable. As far as an optic, you’re command may or may not let you use your privately owned stuff, if you’re not used to the M68 vs EOTech, take a few minutes a day to dry fire.
I would not get the same items I was issued in the military, particularly with the M9. Unless you are in a very small specific minority that trains an unbelievable amount with that pistol, using top of the line holsters and belt rig even close to similar to what you would use off duty - I say buy what you like. The extra value of having a similar weapon just is not all that important.
With the M4, just buy what you like. The weapon system is so alike that I honestly dont think it will matter all that much period.
The big difference between LE and Military is that 4 or 5 times a week, every week, LE is strapping that duty weapon on and is prepared to use it - going between two completely different platforms all the time is something you have to devote alot of extra practice time to. Military on the other hand, generally speaking you are home for 7 months to a year where you fairly rarely are using your issued weapons, and using your off duty carry nearly every day - then you deploy for 7 months to a year where you are using your issued weapons daily. there is only a short period of time where you have to retrain yourself back to the other weapon.
IF you were LE I would say that there is alot of value to use off duty the same (Glock 22/Glock 22), or similar (Glock 22/Glock 23/Glock 27) handguns to what you are using on duty. And alot of LE agencies allow you to use your personal pistol and rifle on duty any how.
Training and the time to devote to it is key. Those who do a lot of training or devote a lot of time will obviously have less issues. I shoot around 4 types of pistols regularly and I devote enough time to not be confused. Simplifying your technique might help also, ie a overhand slide release all the time, instead of say various methods. Actually I use various methods, but default when needed.
My situation is a bit different in that I constantly change due to teaching various courses and what various groups of students my be using as weapons. I would think that using what you like while home would be much easier to train back up and dedicated some good time before deployment on what you will use while deployed.
There are those however who will always use and train in one manner (critical use) and would suggest against what you mention. I am good with it provided you dedicate the time to train, especially before you deploy.
I am a big believer that the more time you spend on a single platform the better you will be on that platform. Spending time and training on another platform detracts from the primary.
I made the error of competing with Glocks and 1911s when I was issued an M9. I did get lots of practice at work with the M9, and some skills transferred well (such as sight tracking, manipulations, target transitions, and recoil management), but others suffered (such as press-outs, splits, reset, reset on recoil, presentations from the holster, and precision from the holster). The M9 is unique enough in certain features (especially the slide-mounted safety/decocker) that no other pistol on the market will duplicate. Imagine your embarrassment when you dump your primary and transition to your secondary to pop a douche-bag, and you wind up on the wrong side of the grass because you didn’t hit the safety lever.
The same thing applies to long-guns, but to a lesser extent if you stay with a conventionally laid-out AR. I did get a 5.45 upper that I turned into a work M4 mirror for high density training at short to mid-range. The way I grip a work M4 with a PEQ15/16 and white light is different than I grip guns with longer handguards, even if they have the same devices. I don’t get quite the same recoil management or front-end stability, and I want to make sure that before I deploy I have the highest level of skill with the tools I will be using to defend life.
I don’t buy armor to mirror my work gear since I take it home and can use it any time I want, and if I break it it gets replaced for free.
One nice thing about building/buying clones of issued weapons is that there is a resale market for such items. You won’t get out of them what you pay initially, but the $100 to $200 hit you take on them when you decide to cut them from the line-up will translate to exponentially greater gain in skills and habitual action that very well may save your life or the life of one of our countrymen.
Personal belief - When under pressure, you will revert to habits formed during training. Get good with one system/platform, but spend time with familiarization of others.
EO tech vs. Aimpoint isn’t a issue (or even M16A2 vs. M4). 92FS vs. 1911 or Glock is. M4 vs. AK is.
When you are in a stressful situation, your mind takes in as much external stimuli as possible. Cognizant thought becomes harder, and complex thought goes right out the window. It is part of the flight/flight hardwiring. The reason training is so very important is that your brain starts running on instinct. Training/conditioning can overcome your natural instincts.