What makes a gun "tactical"?
- Thread starter mattri
- Start date
I can agree that typically youll find more gadgets gizmos lettering and advertising mumbo jumbo on anything labeled tactical but I like to think tactical is a more reliable rugged design that may give up a little beauty and flash to be so. even accuracy. ex.. mark 4 10x zoom scope vs a fx-3 fixed high magnification.. or a mcmillan a series stock versus the beautiful shurley brothers stocks which you dont want to get a scratch on.
BoydAllen
Gold $$ Contributor
Although I respect the skills that are required to do well in any kind of competition, that does not keep me from being amused at some of what has become part of the marketing hype. Wearing camo at the range when it has the opposite effect, drawing attention, rather than blending in. There is also the matter of massive tactical rings, which after all is said and done, are usually clamped to bases that are secured by two little #6 screws each. Then we get to the whole mil dot thing, which is entirely dependent on having a fairly good idea of the size of the object that you are using to range off of, this in an era where compact, reasonably accurate rangefinders abound, and are relatively inexpensive. Having said all of that, if you can hit a distant target at an unknown distance , in field conditions, with gear that does not require a gun bearer to transport, my hat is off to you. Your have skills.
I define it as cooler than a bunch of grumpy old men. Note to self...wear my very cool camo pants to next f-class match. 
Tactical is just a word. Like any other word, it's going to mean different things to different people.
To me, a tactical rifle is a rifle that works well in a variety of situations, blends well in a variety of environments, and is built to tolerate a bit of dirt and abuse.
There is no long range benchrest in my immediate area. My shooting is done in fields and pastures. Tactical rifles work well for me.
Can't say I own any camo. Carthart brown works fine for me.
To me, a tactical rifle is a rifle that works well in a variety of situations, blends well in a variety of environments, and is built to tolerate a bit of dirt and abuse.
There is no long range benchrest in my immediate area. My shooting is done in fields and pastures. Tactical rifles work well for me.
Can't say I own any camo. Carthart brown works fine for me.
Jet
Gold $$ Contributor
I believe there are two distinct categories of shooters who use/employ tactical weapons. Many shooters enjoy shooting weapons that are similar to the weapons used by LE and military. I think the use of these weapons gets many folks interested in shooting sports which is a good thing.
The majority of "tactical" accessories are sold to folks that shoot recreationally and want vs need the item. If an items fails, is to complicated to employ properly without training, disturbs the balance or the weapon, interferes with reliability, etc, no worries. Place the weapon back in the case, take it home and try again later after reading up on its proper use.
The minority are the users who employ their weapons in a tactical environment. They demand a few things from their weapons. At the top of the list is 100% reliability in the weapon and all things attached to it in all conditions and environments. The optics/sighting system/lasers/lights/etc must be durable and have a purpose. If it's not needed it doesn't get added to the weapon because it's new or looks cool. Non glare finish is required. Needs to be easy and fast to employ, load, reload. Immediate actions to clear stoppages need to be easily performed. A man stopping caliber and projectile are needed. etc, etc, etc
Jet
The majority of "tactical" accessories are sold to folks that shoot recreationally and want vs need the item. If an items fails, is to complicated to employ properly without training, disturbs the balance or the weapon, interferes with reliability, etc, no worries. Place the weapon back in the case, take it home and try again later after reading up on its proper use.
The minority are the users who employ their weapons in a tactical environment. They demand a few things from their weapons. At the top of the list is 100% reliability in the weapon and all things attached to it in all conditions and environments. The optics/sighting system/lasers/lights/etc must be durable and have a purpose. If it's not needed it doesn't get added to the weapon because it's new or looks cool. Non glare finish is required. Needs to be easy and fast to employ, load, reload. Immediate actions to clear stoppages need to be easily performed. A man stopping caliber and projectile are needed. etc, etc, etc
Jet
Tactical to me, comes to mind when I see a rifle in tough, rough finished stock, significant vertical where the hand goes, a bipod, dull finish or parkerized barrel and action, muzzle brake on a heavy barrel, protruding magazine, angular scope rings, picatinny rail, scope with larger windage and elevation knobs, scope flip-up covers, and sling studs.
It is my favorite look. But, I do no tactical shooting. My tactical rifle might have many of the elements above, yet not all. It would have tighter tolerances and some BR components or dimensions for superior accuracy. Weight is not a concern since I just carry it between the bench and car. A BR configuration would likely be more accurate, but I am fine with that.
Phil
It is my favorite look. But, I do no tactical shooting. My tactical rifle might have many of the elements above, yet not all. It would have tighter tolerances and some BR components or dimensions for superior accuracy. Weight is not a concern since I just carry it between the bench and car. A BR configuration would likely be more accurate, but I am fine with that.
Phil
Very interesting replies! 2 things jump out already- ppl are using "tactical" as a descriptor without defining its actual meaning- and from what most ppl are using as a description "tactical" maeans either a hunting rifle or whatever a wannabe swat team urban sniper practices with on his days off- c'mon "tactical" crowd you have to be able to better than that.
a Tactical gun is also one in which you have a reticle that the adjustments match the reticle. moa/moa. or mil/mil. you know your trajectory and through reticle based range estimation can apply it via scope adjustment or Kentucky windage. I believe this is a lost art in shooting. I realize that range finders with angle finders and ballistic calculators eliminate the need and are more precise but knowing y I believe makes u a better more rounded shooter.
Jay Christopherson
Not An Admin
BoydAllen said:
Well said. To my mind, those types are the real "tactical" crowd. As opposed to the huge throngs of "range ninjas" who give the word "tactical" a bad name. The guy who showed up to our public shoot in his Maserati with three Cheytac's (.408, .375 and something else) and proceeded to dump $200 worth of ammo (like 6 shots...
on a 6" target at the 200 yard line comes to mind.
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