In this article we will take a look at non critical incidents that we need to deal with BEFORE they go critical and how we can do that. we will discuss a short sampling of tactics, some covered in a previous article, and a few items of kit to help with this task.
I will add that these tactics are NOT the kind of thing you use in the house. This is the kind of thing you use if you have a large piece of property and spot a threat BEFORE it gets to your home, your strongpoint, and your safe haven. From my house I have about 150 yards worth of property that I can spot a nefarious person in before they get to the house. Your mileage may vary. If you own a ranch, farm, or just a large spread then you may be reaching WAY further than that.
So, since we're defending a static point we need to look at a few things:
-Dead space: Dead space is areas which can't be engaged by direct fire such as holes or depressions
-Available cover: Stops bullets
-Available concealment: Stops defenders from seeing the offender
-Approach routes: Where can the bad guy come from?
-Escape routes: Where can they run to?
Dead space is defeated with either an indirect fire or high angle of attack weapon.
Cover is only cover if it will stop the bullets you're shooting at the item in question.
Concealment is variable and we will discuss a few ways to deal with some concealment methods
Approach and Escape routes are dependent upon your AO (Area of Operation)
What items are good to have around for defending an area like a farm?
Another list, and I will discuss options in each category in a bit:
-Direct fire weapon with very large capacity and magnified optics, capable of being used for CQB but primarily intended for engagement at maximum visual distance of your property.
-Direct Illumination: Spotlights are the heat here
-Indirect Illumination: Illumination flares
-Pyrotechnic Signals: Will illustrate uses and benefits later
-Indirect Fire Launcher: This is where this article gets really fun!
Direct Fire Choices:
I am not covering handgun calibers, PDW's, SMG's, Rimfires, or shotguns here. Reaching out to the edge of your spread is the job of a centerfire rifle.
-Bolt Action Precision Rifle: These are good, but if the perps choose to fight and get up close do you really want to run your bolt gun for that? The upside of a bolt gun is that they are chambered in serious caliber that have a tendency to turn cover into concealment and are capable of extreme accuracy. The downside is they're usually heavy, unwieldy, slow to reload, don't have good shot to shot recovery times, and don't have many bullets available at one time. The exception to this are the Mossberg MVP series in 5.56x45mm NATO and 7.62x51mm NATO, the Ruger Precision Rifles in 6.5 Creedmoor and 7.62 NATO (I THINK there's a .243 as well but could be wrong) that run AR mags in their respective calibers and the new Armalite AR31's that run AR10B mags (the ones more like M14/M1A mags than AR type mags).The 10 round guns are OK, but 14 or 20 are a lot better. The ideal bolt gun for this, in my eyes at least, would be the Barrett MRAD with 11 rounds of 338 Lapua on tap.
-Semi Automatic Precision Rifle: Very good choice. Usually more than enough range than needed to secure most properties. Property too big to tackle with a .308? No problem. There are semi's in .300 Win Mag, 338 Lapua, and .50 BMG. The sky is the limit here. The SR25/Mk11/M110 type rifles are awesome as are HK91's with good glass, FAL's wearing glass, and M1A's with glass. DRD Tactical makes a semi auto .308 that breaks down small enough to carry just about any old where. Need a bit more pop? Nemo Arms makes the OMEN... a 14 shot, semi auto, .300 Win Mag. Need even more pop? Alexander Arms makes the Ulfberht and DRD has the Kivaari in .338 Lapua with 10 round capacity. Any more than that and you have the mighty Barrett M82A1 or M107 in 12.7x99mm... we know it as .50 BMG. For my money, I would look at something on the SR25, HK91, FAL, or M1A pattern in .308. Semi autos offer less recoil than their bolt action counterparts if calibers are equal, they usually hold more bullets, being semi they obviously allow faster follow up shots, and any more they are just as accurate as bolt guns. Disadvantages are they are heavier and hold less ammo than a smaller caliber carbine and if you're not shooting more than 400-500 meters they also possess more range than probably needed and are harder to control.
-Carbine: A semi auto rifle in 5.45x39, 5.56x45, 7.62x39, 6.8 SPC, .300 Blackout or the like are a good choice on smaller plots. For this purpose, and I can't believe I'm saying this, a 5.56x45mm carbine is probably your best bet. I happen to know for a fact that 14.5" barrel M4 CAN hit man size targets at 500 yards. I've pulled pits on USMC ranges for M4's at 500 and shot M4's at 500 during Coaches' Course. I have friends that I know can make 600 and even 700 yard hits with 18" and 20" guns. The advantage here is capacity and weight. These guns don't weigh much and neither does their ammo. Decent drums are available in certain platforms so round count shouldn't be an issue. Accuracy, we've established, is fine for most uses if you're using a quality gun with a quality barrel. These guns handle well and there are numerous classes to teach you how to run them exceptionally well. The disadvantages come from longer range shots if you have a large plot and of course smaller bullets are stopped easier. The modularity allows the attachment of an underbarrel pyrotechnic launcher and makes it easier to attach optics, lights, lasers, and other kit. If you have a spread with a max engagement distance of, say, 400 yards or less, your regular carbine might just do the business.
-Semi Automatic Only Automatic Rifle Clones: 20" heavy barreled AR's with the Magpul drum mags (Especially with a 3MR or Binary trigger....), Semi Auto RPK's, HK91's or FAL's with the X Products Drums fill this role well. While they are heavier and less portable than a carbine and sometimes less so than a precision rifle (they get heavy when loaded), they are typically a bit more portable and lighter than a magnum caliber precision rifle and with a whole hell of a lot more fire power on tap. These should have a bipod, and the user should be well trained in controlling his firing cadence and bursts. A modern heavy barreled AR with a well ventilated rail system, 3MR trigger, 6x48 or 4x32 ACOG, and GripPod when loaded with something like the Magpul drums should fill this role very well. plus be able to act almost as a designated marksman's rifle if needed. Another option is the Vltor/Tango Down bipod that mounts to side rails and one could put a pyrotechnic launcher on the 6 o'clock rail, but personally I wouldn't. Too much weight on an already heavy system.
-Semi Automatic Only Belt-Fed Machine Gun Clone: Lighting a guy up with your pre-86 FN MAG58 probably isn't the best idea (but it will DEFINITELY get your point across!) from a legal standpoint but you can get (for a healthy price) weapons like the ARES MCR or Shirke, Mk46/48/M249 copies from Machine Gun Armory, a semi auto M240B (M240-SLR) from Ohio Ordnance Works, semi auto 1919's from a few places in different chamberings, semi auto RPD's.... and if that doesn't work there are semi-auto M2HB's out there. Obviously portability is not a strong suit of some of these weapons. My recommendation would be on the ARES MCR if you want to go this route.
Your mileage may vary but your home is your castle.... it's your forward operating base. In military circles, FOB's are defended with belt fed weapons, mortars, and indirect fire launchers... Why shouldn't we defend our homes in a similar fashion?
Now let's look at direct illumination. I won't go into what systems I saw used on Marine Corps facilities but let's just say it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out bright ass spotlights are integral equipment.
Why?
Direct illumination says to a perp, quite emphatically, "You have just messed up... I see you... Leave.... NOW!" without uttering a word.
A simple spotlight from WalMart will suffice. I know Stanley Tools has a 2200 Lumen version with a 10W LED in it. I have the older 2000 Lumen version. I think the perfect light for this is the FourSevens Maelstrom XM18 that puts out a whopping 15000 Lumens (and you read that right... Fifteen Thousand Lumens) and even has a strobe feature.
Having the ability to throw a bright light directly on the threat allows us to identify it without pointing a firearm or launcher at it... If they are not in fact up to no good and are just kind of there, we have committed no crime. Pointing a weapon at someone that doesn't need that treatment is an assault. Shining a light on them is not.
Besides that, if they do choose to fight, the bright light in their eyes can make it harder for them to fight, though it may also elicit them firing on the light. Double edged sword.
Indirect Illumination does two things:
1. It illuminates a larger portion of the terrain than direct illumination can
2. Attracts A LOT of attention
The easiest examples of this are SOLAS parachute flares in either red or white. Most any maritime/marine supplier should have them. There are also parachute flares for 26.5mm and 37mm launchers, which we will dive more into later.
Pyrotechnic Signals: Flares again. These are meant solely to attract attention as opposed to illuminate an area though they will do that for a few seconds.
I'm partial to rocket propelled GyroJet pen flares if you can find them but there is nothing wrong with other brands of common boating flares or flare guns (more on those in a bit).
The simple 12 gauge flare pistol works well here as do 26.5mm and 37mm flare launches loaded with signal flares.
Imagine, if you will, that you are a perp.... What goes through your mind when a bright red flare goes up in the air while you're sneaking around on someone else's property? I bet it has a few expletives and comes to the point of "Time to GO!"
I would advise you not to fire these directly at a person for a four reasons:
1. It could be construed ad manufacturing an unregistered DD since it was used in an antipersonnel role
2. Range and accuracy aren't great
3. A blob of burning stuff may hurt but it won't have very much effect anyway
4. If you miss, you may set your own property on fire
These serve the advantage of making noise when fired, going up in the air, and burning brightly... They are designed to attract attention. Multiple calls to law enforcement will get a better and faster response. If you call them for a trespasser or prowler, then your neighbor calls in someone shooting fireworks, and someone else calls in fireworks, and the local deputy responding sees another flare go up while responding, they will definitely pick up the pace.
Indirect Fire Launchers
It is possible to get good effect out of 26.5 or 37 without pissing off Uncle Sam. You can roll your own gas rounds (a few recipes out there) or use fireworks projectiles (be wary of fire hazard) to demoralize someone.
I will say that if you choose to deploy this type of munition, you need to be faced with a verified deadly force threat.
Think about it.... You're holed up in a little hole in the ground because the homeowner of the house you wanted to break into shot a flare up in the air and shined this crazy bright light on you and this is the only place you can hide... You're tweaking. The meth you smoked a while ago is wearing off... You open fire at the light... and all of a sudden this thing lands in the hole you're in and starts spitting out a burning smoke that feels like pepper spray or tear gas...
Would that not have an effect on your psyche if nothing else?
Let's say you choose to add one of these launchers to your arsenal and you have traded fire with a perp taking cover in a hole, as mentioned earlier. You hear the sirens and are on speaker with dispatch... "Subject is in a hole approximately 120 meters to my North, marking his position with blue smoke." Dispatcher tell responders that the offender is in a hole marked by blue smoke. They see blue smoke. As they come on scene, you safe and ground your weapon while getting as close to cover as you can until the Blue Crew get close to you and do their thing. Far fetched? Maybe maybe not. Smoke cartridges have been used to mark targets for quite some time. While not a priority, it is something to think about.
Other options:
-Bullhorns: Sure does beat yelling that far. Is louder. Some have siren tones which may cause the offender to split when they hear the tone. Attracts attention.
-Bright visible lasers: Great for marking a target for responders and even better if you have both a weapon mounted one and a handheld only so when you see the lights coming you can drop the boom stick and still mark the target for them.
Guys and gals, all this isn't an exact science.
This is just a thought process I've been working on lately inspired by all kinds of things from forum posts to discussions with friends to thinking of how to secure my own land since one of my neighbors comes back from a long prison bit next year.
Hope all y'all stay warm and safe.
STAY FROSTY
STAY IN THE FIGHT
-K.