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Overdue Q&A (Patreon)

Published:
2016-12-12 20:20:28
Imported:
2026-06

Content

Hey Patrons!

We're overdue on providing you all a Q&A, again. :(

Please accept an apology, but let's try to rectify this.

Ian is in a constant state of travel, so this will be a Karl only Q&A.   As a result, please try to target your questions to something in my wheelhouse more than Ian's.  In other words, please don't ask me if your experimental French 1917 rifle should have 3 or 4 screws in the buttstock.

And, as always, we get more questions than we can possibly answer in one session so we'll have to curate a little.   Thank you again for your support and I look forward to some interesting questions!

Karl

Comments

Monke

Hey Karl, I am currently looking for a modern da/sa handgun that my girlfriend and I will both enjoy shooting and will be able to protect ourselves with. What are, in your opinion, some of the best modern da/sa handguns that don't cost an arm and a leg?

Eric Ledbetter

Love your channel keep it up! My question is about modern use of Submachine Guns. With shorter rifles and especially rounds like .300 blk you can get the best of both worlds in a small carbine. The Soviets seem to have seen this early on with the 74U. What would you say are practical applications of pistol-caliber SMGs today, and do you see their use continuing to diminish moving forward? Where do PDWs like the MP7 fit into that arrangement? Thanks!

BillFerShort

Thanks to InRange, I've been looking to see what two-gun matches are available in my area (90 degree and humid Atlanta). Do you have any advice on must-have equipment, tips for starting out, and common rookie mistakes to avoid? Thanks!

Jacob Schaffer

In the 50's and 60's the M-16 DI system clearly beat out the AR-18 in terms of adoption in militaries around the world. Over the past few decades however, the AR-18's action has seen increasing use in modern designs including the SIG MCX and the FB MSBS among others. 1.) Do you think this trend of AR-18 based rifles will continue and 2.) are there any other historical firearms that have the potential to be (partially) resurrected for modern applications? Thanks!

Matthew Morelli

Karl, what is your opinion on small caliber, hyper velocity pistol cartidges such as the FN 5.7, 7.5 fk brno, and even .22 tcm? Do they have any practical value other than target applications, such as use in a combat sidearm? What are the pros and cons and what role do you think they are best suited for? Thank you and Ian for everything you do!

Matthew Jackson

Is there a plausible gun, either available or that could be made today, that could cover all the requirements of all stages in a 2-gun match? Something with an effective range of ~300 meters, small enough to be carried in a (possibly overlarge) holster/rig, and deployed quickly?

Matthew Sabins

Did Ian get the Korth PRS? I kinda want one.

Dithon1

Why does every "new" service rifle design seem to utilize some form of short-stroke piston? Everyone keeps creaming themselves over the HK416 as if it's cutting edge new technology, when it's just a piston upper on an AR-15 lower with an HK rollmark that doesn't even allow the use of a folding stock. I don't even own an AR-15; I just don't see what the hype's about.

Jinwoo Kang

Hey Karl how are you doing? My question is this: do you think it's possible to run a 2-gun or a 3-gun match with a black powder revolver(I'm 20 years old) by either switching out cylinders or using cartridge conversion?

Padraic Kalisek

Love the vids guys!!! My question is, do you think with the Changes that are about to take place politically that the "hearing conservation bill" which will take suppressor's off of the NFA tax stamp program will pass. Also what is you thoughts about them being NFA items currently?

Jonathan Hartley

Hey Karl, after watching all of your 2-gun videos I found it rather odd that you haven't done an Old West inspired match. Especially since you have a great appreciation for the Old West as evident by your "Old West Vignettes" series. Can we expect a match of this nature in the future? Send my regards to Ian and keep up the great work!

Ben Gwilliam

On your old west vinyets that you are doing. What are your bucket list items you want to visit, see, and or study?

Chris D

This should be in your wheelhouse, Karl. Are there any worthwhile concepts that the US or NATO at large has not yet explored that other nations have, or has globalization run its course following the Cold War? For example, the US followed the Soviets with the concepts of the DMR at squad level, and an assault rifle becoming the standard infantry rifle, but the 9x39mm families of rifles have no real analogue in western militaries.

Chaplain Chawley

Hey Karl! Keep up the good work. I live vicariously through your match videos... haven't found anything quite like that here in NC. The first question that comes to mind is: what are your thoughts on the future of the second amendment? In one of your more recent Q&As, you guys talk about the legal restrictions that make your "grail guns" impossibilities. For example, one of my grail guns would be an H&K MP7, and as you've also said in videos about PDWs and their small cartridges, it would be nothing more than a range toy in a civilian form. It's capabilities and purpose are defeated by the simple fact that I cannot legally own the full-auto version (and that's assuming we could get the German government to allow HK to export non-neutered versions of their guns). Anyway, do you have any optimism that our second amendment could be fully restored? Is it possible to do away with the tyrannies of the Hughes "amendment" - or NFA altogether? I'm holding on to hope with the present global wave of nationalism and general awakening to the shooting sports everywhere. Also, on a final note, assuming things don't really change too much, don't you think modern weaponry (e.g. Energy weapons like particle beams) will soon vastly out-pace our restricted, semi-free 2A? If we can't have fully-automatic small arms now, we certainly won't be allowed to own a laser rifle... at which point I beleive our rights would be dead... assuming the spirit of our 2A is to throw off an oppressive govt by EQUALLY armed citizenry. Your thoughts? Anyway, please forgive the novel! Godspeed.

Mark

Hey Karl I was wondering if you could go through your spring replacement process on your Luger, not necessarily for the Q&A but as an actual demo video possibly

Taylor Martin

Hey Karl. You seem to know a good bit about Russian military history so here's something a little out there. I watched an old documentary on the Sukhoi SU-25 (the Russian's version of the A-10) and they noted the quality of American and Russian airfields. Like the AK, the 25 is meant to take a beating and keep going, even on less than ideal runways. The fact that Russian concrete was very poor quality was highlited and many of the runways would crack and in fact many buildings fell too. Curious to know if you have any insight on this. Thanks guys! -Taylor

Grant Howard

Would you think about doing a monthly (or quarterly, bi-annually, etc.) event where you raffle off a trip to go see you and Ian for a weekend and get to go to a shoot with you? Maybe appear in a video. Maybe it could be just for Patrons.

Justin Gregory

We've come a long way with ammuntion design and construction the last 150 years. As an ammuntion technician at a small ammo company I have my own opinions, but what are your opinions about modern advancements in projectile design like the use of CNC machined solid copper and brass projectiles? I'm not speaking of fancy "for show" cartridges like RIP, but real, practical designs like the Defender and Penetrator offerings Lehigh Defense is producing. I've done extensive testing with a variety of calibers and designs from Lehigh if you'd ever like to chat about them.

Bill DeRuiter

Any advice for someone interested in getting into run&gun and 2 gun shooting matches?

Mark Anderson - GreyLocke

What would be your recommendation for the most useful all-around caliber in a rifle and in a handgun. IOW: what rifle and handgun caliber would you recommend EVERYONE should own?

Sean Smith

Karl, I have been a computer programmer for just about 16 years now. I got into it much like you got into your career, from what you have said in various pod casts I have listen too. I totally agree with your points on digital security and it's future. I am starting to get kind of burned out on programming and would like to start adding more security oriented things to my resume. Any tips on how I could go about this? Good books? Online resources? As always thanks for the awesome video content and keep up the good work

Tyler Miller

What are your thoughts on mixing "fun" money with "serious" money when it comes to firearms and ammunition budgeting? By that I mean that some people advocate keeping two completely separate budgets, one for fun guns and recreational shooting and the other for serious guns and training. They think that for serious purposes you should always buy the best possible firearm, even if it holds no particular historical, aesthetic or other interest for you. They also think that a person should never regard recreational shooting and competitive shooting as good practice, and that a person runs the risk of developing bad habits by engaging in it so it would be better to put that money towards real training by a competent instructor. Other people think that since the chances you'll actually be involved in a shooting are low you should get whatever firearms please you as long as they do their job reasonably well and that recreational and competitive shooting are a good way to have fun while developing skills as long as a person keeps the right mindset. Obviously this isn't something that has to be all one way or the other, but most of us do have limited budgets and I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts.

bird

In one of your past videos and in one of Ian's recent Q&A vids, you and Ian have both spoken of the importance of digital security and more specifically strong encryption to ensuring our rights in the digital age. How would you recommend someone whose experience with digital security goes as far as having read Cryptonomicon learn about and implement healthy digital security practices in his everyday life?

Daniel R.

With both Ian and yourself living in a gun friendly state, what would you recommend someone look at for a first fun/competition firearm for a more restrictive state (ie: NY or similar, not as insane as CA)?

Jacob Forsythe

How much of an actual practical disadvantage do you think semi-auto civilian rifles actually have against fully funtioning military rifles. Both on an individual level and as a member of a unit. e.g. in a totally hypothetical and in no way something i think about everyday "Red Dawn" scenario

Shao Zhang

Do you think that computerized optics will play a big role in military and civilian sporting optics in the future? Optics like the Steiner “Intelligent” Combat Sight and Burris Eliminator where a built in rangefinder and angle/tilt meter can provide an instant firing solution to the shooter with minimal human busywork. Also including video type thermal sights where a video feed is provided to the shooter in which a host of AR, computer vision and dynamic GUIs can be aiming aids.

Tim

Karl, as a serious shooter I'd like to know if you have anymore comments on using the VR milsim stuff for training?

SeraphJ4GUAR

I notice that you guys tend to run a lot of different "outfits" over the course of your InRange production. What has been your favorite setup as far as gear setup? (plate carrier, belt, chest rig, web gear, etc). Conversly, what has been the worst or most useless setup/item you have seen as far as personal "web" gear?)

XJ Liao

Karl, with France now having decided to replace their FAMAS, and New Zealand similarly moving from the AUG to an AR pattern weapon, do you feel that bullpups are now obsolete as a standard issue infantry weapon? What do you see as the future for bullpup systems and their role? Keep up the great work and look forward to your future videos!

Deviant Ollam

this is a great question, and one that doesn't get a lot of treatment on many gun channels, TFBTV, etc.

Deviant Ollam

are you asking in terms of (a) efficacy in the moment (leading to follow-up questions as to where you live, what the threats are, etc) or (b) interoperability and ammo availability? not going to speak for Karl, but i am willing to bet that he might point out the fact that something like 6.5 Grendel is an awesome round, but if shit really hits the fan and none of your neighbors have any and none of the firearms you might pick up off the ground have any, exactly how good is your 6.5 rifle at that point? ;-) in fact, i'll flip this question back to you and Karl and anyone else: tell me a reason *not* to own at least one rifle or handgun in either: 5.56 NATO -or- 7.62 NATO 9mm -or- 45ACP ... in north america, i'm willing to bet that you have the best chance overall of not just buying legit ammo but also finding/inheriting/borrowing ammo in those calibers more than almost any other. (Let the 30-06 fans lay it on me!)

Mark Anderson - GreyLocke

In the terms of which caliber is the most utilitarian, most available, and the most affordable.

Leonard T Schmandt

Your thoughts on Ballistol. I discovered it about six months ago and remember you saying, in one of your videos, that you were going to tell us your opinion of the product.

Simon Ferrer

Karl, can you give us some more detail about the workout program that you've undertaken this past year? Is it general exercise, or do you tailor your workouts specifically to help your performance in 2 gun ACM?

Chaplain Chawley

I second the opinion of the Deviant fellow (the same deviant as Defcon?). This is the oldest argument in the book... you could lecture someone all day about which f-class cartridge is the most accurate due to its powder burning efficiency and primer flash ratio etc etc and never come to an agreement. The ultimately accurate cartridges are all only made possible by OCD-level hand loading and usually hand-wildcatted brass. These things are all awesome if it's your thing (I'm looking to get into it someday if I have the money... those things basically shoot ammo rolled on hundred dollar bills). So, those would be the "best cartridges"... but not for the purposes you described in your later comment. I bet Karl will say that in the end it's up to you because nobody will ever agree which caliber of bullet does any job better of the most available options. "Most available" really helps us pare it down though. This essentially leaves you with any cartridges adopted by the military of a major country (or, more specifically, a conglomerate like NATO). Rifles: 7.62x39, 5.56x45/.223, 7.62x51/.308 are all the most available and therefore the cheapest.

Chaplain Chawley

Dang... can't push return on the phone keyboard... it posts what you wrote so far instead of "returning". Anyway... PISTOLS: 9mm hands down meets all your requirements with modern bullet tech. I would add the civilian cartridges .22 and 12ga. You could probably acquire the most utility from a pistol caliber carbine (PCC), like the Keltec sub2k. Light gun and light ammo, which could also pair with a 9mm handgun if you choose. That or a 12 ga pump open choke shotgun.. ammo options are almost endless for almost any purpose. Ultimate utility. When you branch into sacrificing some of that utility for rifle cartridges, you run into the 30 cal vs 22 cal feud, which no one will ever resolve, ever. The bigger hole of the 7.62x39 sacrifices range for stopping power and the smaller .223 sacrifices stopping power for velocity but weighs less and you can carry more. Everyone should own a .22 rifle. It has a lot of utility and everyone has ammo and prices for new ammo are coming back down slowly. You could acquire food and defend yourself with all of the options above if you had to. Those are all the most available. There are a million options, but in the realm of "mosts", that's about it... you could add 7.62x54R to the list but that is almost purely a drying surplus market, plus it and the guns that fire it are heavy. If you had to stick to ak vs. ar, I would say get a s&w m&p15 sport. Light, cheaper than most aks out there these days, light and competitively cheap ammo, lighter mags, etc. I run on an economy of weight though. It truly comes down to personal preference and what manual of arms you prefer

Balyrion

What would you suggest for someone looking to get in to shooting competitions just for fun. In particular I am quite overweight, bad knees, etc and would prefer something where it is still an enjoyable activity. I would prefer not to detract from others enjoyment of the sport and still be able to fully participate. It seems like 3 gun has a pretty heavy focus on mobility and obstacles which could create problems for me. I have considered 3 gun, IDPA, high power, and am open to any or others but would like suggestions (other than get healthier, working on that already). I already have a reasonable variety of firearms so that is unlikely to be a barrier for me.

Michael Pronchick

Karl, please talk to us about home defense sights. Now that you have run with the AR15 in the Vietnam course, do you think the iron sights are good enough or is a red dot really that much better for cqb?

Chaplain Chawley

Have you considered clay target shotgun matches? They are a blast and require only standing and walking to the various stages

Mark Churchwell

I would have to say that I really do appreciate the Themed courses that you all have been doing lately. I have two questions: 1) Do you think that the Belt-Fed Machinegun has become obsolete in an infantry role. As now, it is easier and cheaper to produce rifles with larger drum/casket magazines, bipods, and heavy barrels than SAWs or MMGs. Does the fact that these new Squad Automatic Rifles like the RPK and M27 have much greater parts commonality and cross-training mean the death knell for the Infantry belt fed machinegun? 2) With winter coming, do you think we will get a few "Ice and Snow" Tests with weapons rather than just the regular mud tests?

Joel C

Karl, what is your opinion on the variety of AK pattern rifle's currently being imported in non-traditional calibers, such as the VEPR's currently available in 243 Winchester, 30-06 and 6.5 Grendel? Fad or products that will continue in a niche market?

Terry Buchholz

Ballistic gel is supposedly the "standard" media for bullet testing even though everyone claims it doesn't represent body tissue. Obviously we can't shoot people of all shapes and sizes to test designs, but what is a "better" media for testing if there is one? What does the standard FBI 12"-18" mean in real world performance if the gel doesn't represent real tissue? How do we translate all this info when selecting ammo? Please elaborate or extrapolate if you're understanding what I'm trying to get at rather poorly. Thank you.

Terry Buchholz

Any experience with the AR57 uppers? How do they stack up with the PS90?

Michael Smith

Hey Guys congratulations on reaching your monthly goal!

Padraic Kalisek

Congrats on your goal glad to see you made it

Drew Stone

Any books on shooting (theory and technique) or the history of shooting (as in development of theory and technique) you would recommend?

Duke VonMeep the 2nd

My question: what are the most common "training scars" you notice when people first start 2 gun matches or more real world focused training, i.e. from someone who is used to shooting at a traditional range?

mrkermit

Does the commercial variants of 5,45x39 match up to or exceed 7N6 performance? Most matches won't allow 7N6 so I'd like to know what would be a decent brand to shoot that isn't steel core. TIA.

Dillon Vires

What would you deem to be the best set up for a 2-gun match, in three categories: 1. Fun 2. Competitiveness 3. Historically accurate to what someone may have used with the weapon they had in a specific battle.