Mike Griffin
6 hrs · Madison, WI
Why is good gear a necessity for professional users: Routinely I see questions about whether XYZ item is suitable for duty/deployment use and if it is NOT a top performer many will say something to the effect of "well, it may not do XYZ reliably but I like some other characteristic so much, and I can reduce the malfunction pretty easily". There is a problem with that mindset.
Users at all levels of performance perform actions and decisions at various levels on the spectrum from unconscious incompetence, conscious incompetence, conscious competence, to unconscious competence. All those actions and decisions either increase or reduce 'friction' when interacting with your environment. All of this conscious/unconscious action and decision making as well as friction adds up to some portion of your brain's bandwidth or cognitive ability. How much you can process at one time. Gear that slips, rubs, abrades, chafes, doesn't hold zero, flickers, loosens, doesn't feed well, freezes up, etc or has a history of doing this which causes doubt in the back of your mind ties up bandwidth that is otherwise necessary for performing actions and making decisions.
This isn't directed at any post or person in particular I just wanted to mention it. I had the opportunity to listen to a lecture by a former PJ the other day who was talking about cognitive overload in regards to education and conveying material (not in stress testing capability) and it got me thinking about something I have long thought of but had a hard time verbalizing.
Just something to consider as you select and recommend gear.
Unlike · Comment
- You, Matt Levi, Chris Taylor, Chad Halvorson and 7 others like this.
-
Michael HueserI want kit that I don't have to worry about.
If I'm climbing, blowing bubbles, bounding out of a plane, or cooking rare Unicorn testicles, I don't want to worry about the gear being used.
It should perform to expectations so that I can focus on "other" things.
If I'm worried about the anti-balling plates on my crampons popping off & needing attention, then I'm not focusing on rest steps, axe placement & rope work.
I'll find economies & shortcuts in non-critical items in order to buy the best critical items that exist.
Additionally, I take care to inspect, clean, sharpen, oil, and repair them so that they continue to work that way.
Buying a shitty compass from a yard sale and counting on it will create that level of doubt & a constantly-niggling cognitive itch...
Some kit has to be "that good"...
6 hrs · Unlike · 8 -
Roland DeschaintullThis shit KILLS me in military procurement. SOF will test and adopt something and the service component will be like "that's cool, but we don't have a requirement for that widget".
Oh excuse the fuck out of me that we shoot stupid amounts of ammo that your booger eating, police calling, formation holding, PT belt wearing, General Purpose Force will never have the original thought to need this widget!
Just like the peq2(Followed by the LA5/PEQ15), just like rail hand guards, just like the M4, just like aimpoints, just like BUIS, just like flashlights, just like the ACOG....
The service components have not had an original fucking thought in over 2 decades, yet every time SOF tries to hand them a great idea the fucking push back.
How many times do we have to lead that horse to water before it finally takes a fucking drink???
6 hrs · Like · 11 -
John D Remfsometimes, it's really fuckin' nice to be a civilian and be your own procurement department.
6 hrs · Like · 7 -
Mike HuntsRoland spot on
5 hrs · Like · 1 -
John BeaversThat's a interesting thought Mike, as a civilian who takes his and his family's personal saftey very seriously. I find myself constantly questioning myself. I want good gear, but how good does that gear need to be. I'm smart enough to listen to what the guys on here have to say about gear, especially Pat, Chuck, Roland, Steve ect. , Lotta guys with known backgrounds and reputation's who's opinions are definitely worth the time to consider. But do I really need a BCM or is the Smith and Wesson M&P-15 good enough, or do I need a Aimpoint micro, or is that Eotech good enough since I'm not going to the sandbox or on a swat raid(aimpoint pro makes that a moot point really). Do I need a RMR on my Glock or should I spend the money on more training and ammo, I chose the latter. Is the TLR good enough for home defense or do I have to have the Surefire. But you guys kinda set the standard for what is "good" equipment, and best practices. But it's difficult sometimes to separate good enough for my needs from wanting the best cool guy kit. Where that line is gets a little blurry and difficult to see sometimes, and distracts from other equally important aspects. Just a thought, and I probably didn't put that in words real well but I'm sure you get the point.
4 hrs · Edited · Like · 3 -
Mike HuntsHonestly John, what you have in an event is what you have, if you look at places that have had serious government collapses, the people who live are the one that got out of town. Most of the time they had nothing but a pot for water.
5 hrs · Like · 1 -
Mike HuntsI am not saying the preparation is not important, however your money is better spent on education, not high speed gear. After you get some training you will see what works and what doesn't
5 hrs · Like · 1 -
John BeaversThat's true mike my brother works for a large sherrifs department just north of New Orleans, he rode Katrina out and then worked the aftermath, he has told me some real horror stories about that, and I saw a little of it for myself when I took some supplies to him and some of the guys he works with and thier families not long afterwards.
5 hrs · Like · 1 -
Michael HueserIf you buy inferior kit, and it hiccups enough, you'll jack up the cognitive/heuristic side of the equation.
I've seen enough people in training who lose good, focused repetitions due to the fact they were running bad gear/ammo.
Instead of establishing a functional rhythm with their learning curve (due to that cognitive itch), they would get a handful of repetitions in before having to trouble shoot one of those hiccups.
That is like 2 steps forward and then... "Cookie...".....
Sometimes KISS helps reduce those issues... If... If the Simple is well-built...
Accumulating "training scars" due to a higher failure rate than is necessary, isn't conducive to grounding oneself in solid, proper fundamentals.
This idea is highly important for the novice (and intermediate), end user.
As one starts to understand how their learning curve is utilized, and plateaus, then one will also start to gain more insight as to why best practices, established training, AND superior kit is their friend....
Good enough isn't.....
4 hrs · Unlike · 7 -
Matt LandfairThis will be copied to the forum. Good stuff!
4 hrs · Like · 1 -
Michael HueserI'm retired...
4 hrs · Like -
Michael Hueser"It requires wisdom to understand wisdom; the music is nothing if the audience is deaf."
Walter Lippmann
4 hrs · Like -
John BeaversMike being prepared is definitely one of my considerations, but secondary to daily personal and home security for my self and family.
3 hrs · Like · 1 -
Matt Landfaircant they be within the same consideration?
3 hrs · Like · 1 -
Michael HueserThat learning curve & philosophy applies to all skills & gear....
3 hrs · Like · 3 -
Mike HuntsI was reading something else when I wrote that, the same stands.
The best gun to take to a fight is the one you have on you, professional guns are expensive if you can afford it but them if not get the best you can afford, however at the same time keep in mind buy quality buy once. A $600 smith ar will fit the home defense need as much as a 2400 Set up if that is what you can get.
You can also lose a gun but you will always have your mind.
3 hrs · Like · 1 -
Mike GriffinMy take is that if you are buying gear that could fall under 'life safety equipment' you need to buy something that meets a minimum performance standard. The combo of gun, mag, ammo, etc must be able to accurately put rounds on target with minimal to no malfunctions for a reasonable lifespan.
An entry level professional carbine, aimpoint pro, whitelight with mounting hardware, pmag, and take your pick of validated ammo will accomplish this for most and not be $2400. Will it be the most accurate gun on the line? Will you have to accept that the handguard is not freefloated and shooting supported may impair accuracy? Yes. will it fire at a similar percentage to the $2400 gun? Yes.
I have a hard time even recommending the non-free floated guns because I know the level of accuracy degradation when resting the barrel on a barricade or in a sling support position BUT it is what it is and not everyone can throw down that kind of money.
Same with a pistol. No one says you have to pay to stipple the grip, swap all the guts out, get an RMR, match barrel and comp, etc. BUT choosing a reputable gun, spending enough in ammo to validate your sample, putting a good quality iron site on, white light, holster, etc. While it may seem like a bunch of money each of those is a capability checkbox and still significantly cheaper than a full custom gun. A $500 glock, $120 in Dawson adjustables, $80 for a holster, $225 for X300U, $150 in practice ammo, $50 in defensive ammo, and time on the couch dry firing is a 95% solution that checks all the capability boxes for about half to a third of a full custom gun. Sure it is more expensive than a ruger P85 and a box of defensive ammo and an uncle mike's holster but the gun will run and you will be able to shoot accurately AND properly ID targets, not have to worry about your gun discharging in the holster, etc.
There is a spectrum to everything, somethings just don't even make it on the spectrum. I am very much not trying to justify some kind of elitist gear mentality I just want people to consider the realities of gear for the professional level user.
3 hrs · Like · 4 -
Mike GriffinAlso, I agree that knowledge is huge. Just keep in mind that cutting corners on gear to support that knowledge (if it is necessary, i.e. a pistol class) can impact your take away. I routinely see guys show up to class with either econo-guns or super expensive soup sandwiches that wont run. It is really hard to take anything away from the class when you can't complete a drill because the gun, ammo, or mags are not functioning. OR coming unprepared for the weather.
It isn't just about the guns, show up to a class or work with shitty socks and jack up your feet you probably won't notice that you are sucking at drills.
3 hrs · Like · 3 -
Barry PetersonMike Griffin I agree that there should be some minimum standard for "life safety equipment," but I also recognize the limitations of what I'll be asking the gear to do. I have no problem admitting that I'm a helpless gear queer, but that doesn't mean I'm throwing every cent I have at top of the line stuff. AsJohn Beavers referenced, by M&P15 is probably good enough for whatever I might encounter in civilian, non-LE/MIL life, but I dont skimp on ammo or training. I can probably get by with the clearance sale Shellback plate carrier I picked up, but I didn't skimp on the plates. My XD puts holes in anything I shoot it at, but it's not a high-speed-low-drag combat pistol. I don't trust the cheapest gear with my life, but I'm also working diligently to find the boundary where inexpensive, reasonable and effective intersect. That's the risk analyst in me coming out.
2 hrs · Edited · Unlike · 3
