Question of the Day: What is technology’s role for today’s
shootist?
Technology is changing basic tools. The Sig Aiming System with DBX might be the
perfect example. For us knuckle
draggers, the Sig range finder communicates its information to your smart phone
which, based on information you provide, estimates bullet drop. These results are bluetoothed to your scope
which displays a lit dot as your point of aim.
I’ve been told that a weather companion is under development to provide
information on temperature, wind speed and direction, atmospheric pressure and
altitude. Someday the gun will fire
itself after you 'authorize the shot.'
Of course the caveat not mentioned is your data has to be
rigorously correct. It’s got to be the
same lot of ammo every time so the ballistic coefficient as well as muzzle velocity
remain constant. I suspect there are
other variables as well. Best
performance will come from constantly testing and redefining your data.
Recently I’ve read about smart OC spray. When you discharge the spray, it bluetooths
your smart phone which calls the police with your coordinates and reports your
problem.
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| So pick the three things absolutely critical to this weapon's function. |
Trigger jobs and dots are not the sole purview of the
bullseye competitor. Reflex dots are
showing up as daily carry as are exotic muzzle brakes and B.A.D. levers on AR
platforms. You can “compact” your AR by
using an adjustable stock and adding a special adaptor to “fold” your rifle.
Suppressors are another example. In their most basic form, they slow and cool
the expanding gas to reduce the “BANG!” associated with firing a gun. While closely regulated, unfairly in my
opinion, they beg the question, “To what advantage? What do these technology driven
devices accomplish for us?
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| I'm just wondering where the holographic dot is? |
I’m not suggesting we retreat to muzzle-loading black powder pistols. But what function does a USB rechargeable and Morse code programmable flashlight serve?
From the armed citizen perspective, which is the only one I
can truly claim, I can cover 90 percent of my anticipated needs with an S&W
model 66, dump pouch and a pocket flashlight.
But I can accomplish it better with a diode flashlight, a
speed strip and the S&W 66.
That I think, is the key.
Chasing technology for its own sake is fun, expensive and
often futile. Almost as soon as you
purchase the latest, something better comes out. For the shootist, the person who intends to
utilize their tools, I suggest answering the question: “What will help me best accomplish
my goals without unnecessary encumbrance?”
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| WTAF?!? |
D
One of the early self-defense courses I’ve taken found me
competing with a new owner of a Wilson custom 1911 .45ACP, which he had just
purchased. It was an excellent gun,
finely made and certainly more accurate than the out of the box Beretta I
shoot. I expected him to shoot better
than I did.
We tell little lies.
‘I’m here just to learn’ or ‘I’m competing against myself for fun,’ but
we all are driven to win. Winning might
be defined that day as not the last rank or anywhere above the half way mark
but we all want to win.
I did well in that class.
He did not. In fact, he didn’t do
well at all. Despite a superior tool or
better technology he lacked the skill set.
Here too we can find an answer about technology. Technology can supplement lost physical
ability. The ability to move a trigger
group to better fit the owner’s hand is amazing. Adding a reflex dot to a handgun, while it
requires additional training, makes up for the lost of visual ability from age.
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| Is this the future? For my eyes perhaps. |
So I think my premise is valid. Use technology to assist you in accomplishing
your task without providing unnecessary encumbrance.
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