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Assault Rifle Flare
In the quest to continuously better our weaponry, the M16 has gone through some significant changes. The adoption of the smaller, more versatile M4 carbine as our fighting rifle it has significantly broadened the options available to the rifleman. The quad-rail system from Knight’s Armament that replaces the handguards of the M4 has added the most versatility of all, giving you endless attachment options within compact package. Ever wished you could have a flashlight attached to your weapon? Now you can. Want a vertical foregrip? No problem. Infrared laser targeting? No sweat. Because of these advances I thought it might be interesting to introduce you to my rifle and its many accoutrements. It has become a running joke that all the accessories are “pieces of flare.†The more flare you have, the better. I mean, you do want to express yourself, right?
My rifle is an M4. An M4 is basically an M16 with a shorter barrel and collapsible stock. This is a gross simplification, and there are many variations of each weapon, but I don’t think my average reader is concerned with them. As a gun nut, however, they definitely interest me, so I’ll be happy to field questions on the subject. My M4 has a flat-top receiver. This is slang for a receiver cut with a mil-standard 1913 Picatinny rail. You can mount almost anything on a Picatinny rail, which is why the handguards of the weapon have been replaced with a system of four rails.
The receiver of my rifle carries an EO Tech optical sight. The optic provides no magnification, the advantage being a larger field of view and ease of tracking moving targets. It displays a red reticle where my rounds will impact at a given range. I can adjust the brightness of this reticle for daylight or night conditions. I can also press a button and the reticle becomes infrared, and visible only through NVGs (night vision goggles). Training with this optic has shown me what a huge increase in efficiency it provides to the shooter. The most marked improvement is in target acquisition. I can put rounds on target from short range (50m and less) about three times as fast with my EO Tech as with normal iron sights, and the effect is only compounded at longer ranges. The other widely available optic is the Trijicon ACOG, a 4x optic that General Mattis has called “the greatest advancement to the infantry rifleman since the introduction of the M1 Garand (~1941).
On the bottom rail of the rail system resides my vertical foregrip, or “broomstick.†The broomstick isn’t for “spraying and praying†as people use them for in movies. If used properly it allows you another option of securely holding and aiming your weapon. Taped to the broomstick are actuating sensors for the next two devices I will discuss.
On the right side of the rail system is a Surefire flashlight. If you spend any time inside houses at night, you’re going to want illumination. The lighting in Arab homes is sketchy, and doesn’t usually work in every room. The lantern that services the dark rooms may get broken during the hit. Plus, you may not want the lights on just yet. All great reasons to have your own dedicated flashlight. The Surefire is bright, blindingly bright, and will generally light up the zip code. I can simply turn the light on and leave it on, or I can use the remote pressure-activated switch that is routed to the broomstick and electrical taped to the rear side. The switch is set up so that I do not inadvertently turn on the flashlight with a normal grip on the broomstick. I simply adjust my grip a little bit clockwise and depress the switch with my fingers.
On top of the weapon is a gadget that always reminds me of the Starship Enterprise, the PEQ-2A. This device performs two functions: projects an infrared dot onto your target, and projects an infrared floodlight onto the area. Both are only visible with NVGs, of course. The IR dot on target is similar to the little red laser dots dancing on the target you see in movies, except it is only visible with NVGs. Furthermore, I can put different filters on the lens to make the dot different shapes. This means each member of my team can have a different shaped dot (triangle, crosshair, circle, letter “Tâ€, etc) so we know who is pointing at what just by the look of the dot. This can be useful for pointing at things and communicating about them simultaneously on the radio. The IR floodlight is simply a flashlight that lights up the area for your NVGs. NVGs aren’t perfect; they don’t show it all. A little extra IR energy always helps to illuminate your surroundings. I have installed the remote switch for this device on the upper right side of the broomstick, which I activate with my left index finger.
Holding this mess together is a slew of electrical tape and Velcro. On the rear of the weapon I have used duct tape to reinforce my single-point sling attachment, as well as my buttstock magazine pouch. In war beauty means nothing; functionality means everything. I think that is why I am thriving so far.
You said it best Jeff, it doesn’t have to look pretty as long as it does the job and keeps you guys safe right?
Just wanted to let you know that I LOVE all the pictures you post, they really give us an inside look at what you guys are facing there everyday.
Hope you and the others are feeling better and finally over whatever you had. Still keeping you in my prayers and again THANK YOU for what you do. You are truly appreciated :)
God Bless!!!