Keep That Rifle Running
It is simply inevitable that you will at some time have a weapon malfunction. The key to getting through that malfunction is based on three things. 1. Know your weapon and how to clear any and all malfunctions. 2. Minimize the physical motions needed to make the clearance happen. 3. Keep your mind in the fight (see above:)! In this month's edition I want to talk about running your carbine. You can be the greatest shooter in the world, but if you can not clear a malfunction then you are screwed. I will save actual clearance techniques for a future edition and focus on where the rifle should be in the event it goes down. Now, I feel it is important that I share one of my philosophies in regards to rifle malfunction clearances. If you are within 25 meters of your target, then I teach transition to your handgun. Until such time that you can either eliminate the threat, or gain sufficient cover to bring your rifle back into the fight.
When doing most rifle manipulations I encourage you to keep it into or close to your shoulder. By maintaining this high - shoot ready position, you are much quicker to reacquire your target and engage them. Additionally, it keeps you pointed in on the bad guy which still provides an intimidation factor. They may not even be aware that your weapon is down. All they see is you pointed in on them.
To many this is a minor thing that gets little mention in courses. I am pretty emphatic however that you need to keep your rifle as close to an effective shooting position as possible. With practice it not only hones your fighting mind, but will make clearances quicker.
