DDI Stamped AK-47, AGS DIY Edition

I recently reviewed a DDI Stamped AK-47, Zhukov Edition. It is very impressive rifle in part because of the Magpul Zhukov Furniture but mostly because of the quality of the base components. Now you can start with just those base components and build your own DDI AK with which ever furniture you choose.

DDI DIY

AGS Armament has an exclusive DDI Stamped AK-47, AGS DIY Edition. This is a complete and functioning DDI AK minus the furniture. You save some cash and get to choose your own grip, stock, and hand guard.

These were introduced last night and several have already sold so don’t drag your feet.

Skills and Tactics – Don’t Confuse the Two

Digital media has done a lot to change the way we train. It is absolutely amazing that we can simply pop in a DVD or stream the latest video from top-notch trainers directly into our living rooms. You can find drill diagrams and par times on your smart phone… while you are on the range. In spite of the immense training value in these mediums, I still recommend actual in person training with a skilled instructor. The reasons for this are numerous but one that I want to harp on a bit in this article is context… or lack there of.

If you cherry pick a skill drill and incorporate it into your training devoid of the context of the original block of instruction, it can be very easy to try to draw tactics out a drill that was never intended to do more than build a skill. Drills are often designed to train a specific skill without the context of a tactic. For instance, shooting while moving is a skill worth practicing and most training courses incorporate drills to train this skill. Often these drills consist of moving forward and back while shooting. Less often, lateral movement may be incorporated.

Why is forward and back movement most common? The answer probably varies from instructor to instructor. The instructor might say that limiting to forward and back is the easiest way to work on the basic footwork of the skill before graduating to more explosive or difficult forms of movement – walking before running so to speak. A really honest instructor might say because forward and back is only way 12+ students standing shoulder to shoulder can move on the range safely. The students also come away feeling really good about themselves and if they don’t do some movement, they will write a grumbling AAR on their pet internet forum. It ticks the checkbox in a sense. This is done in spite of the very limited circumstances in which it would be appropriate for a regular armed citizen to advance on a threat that is actively involved in shooting them. Drills like these teach a skill not necessarily a tactic.

Even when lateral movement is included, it is often done at a pace that makes little sense in terms of tactics. If the point of moving laterally is toBarricade on range avoid being shot, why aren’t we moving fast enough that an adversary would have to actually adjust their sight picture to hit you. Most of these drills have the shooter moving so slowly that they are just as easy to hit as they are when stationary. Again, these drills are teaching a skill, not a tactic. I am not sure that Todd Louis Green said this originally but I have seen him write something to along these lines: “You shoot better when you aren’t moving and you move better when you aren’t shooting.”

The point of this discussion is not to rail on shooting on the move or to say that it is not a useful skill. This is just a single example out of many. The point is to highlight that there is a difference between SKILLS and TACTICS. Skill drills work on the basic mechanics of a skill but don’t necessarily address the situations in which the skill will be applied. It’s an important distinction.

Think of it like someone learning how to throw the all the punches in boxing (skills) but never learning how to set up their opponent or counter (tactics). That is a recipe for disaster. The context that comes with well designed instruction, a well rounded skill set, experience, and some critical thinking can help you avoid theses mistakes.


The use of barricades in training are another example of skill/tactic confusion. Drills that use barricades like the VTAC barricade are not always about how we approach cover (crowding versus staying back) but more about how we move the firearm and our bodies solve different positional problems. What are some other skills/tactics that you see being confused regularly?

KDG Releases SIDELOK – Aimpoint Micro Mount

Kinetic Development Group (KDG) has releases their SIDELOCK – Aimpoint Micro Mount. It is available from their website and authorized dealers.

SIDELOK MICRO #1-SMALL

From KDG:

KDG expands their lineup of SIDELOK optic mounts with a new model for the popular Aimpoint micro red dot optics. Designed to fit Aimpoint T1, T2, H1 and H2 models, the mount will also fit other popular miniature red dots that share the same footprint. The Sidelok micro mount allows the user to achieve a lower 1/3 co-witness with flip up iron sights when mounted on the AR-15 or M4 carbine.  This lightweight, 2.7 ounce Aluminum mount uses KDG’s Sidelok (pat. Pending) cam lock system to attach to picatinny rails instantly. With no tools needed to attach the mount, the user simply rocks their setup onto the chosen mounting space, and down onto the rail. Once pressed down, the Micro Mount self locks, and the optic can be zeroed in the usual fashion. Removal is equally fast, and can be accomplished with one hand even while wearing gloves. The front-located release button has a smaller, recessed secondary lock, which must be deliberately pressed in to facilitate removal; similar to the way a Glock trigger safety works. Do to its’ design, it is virtually impossible to accidentally engage the release, and the cam lock system ensures a secure grasp on various sized (and some out of spec) picatinny rails. This equates to a fast, easy means of removing and attaching optics while retaining an absolute return to zero. The smooth sides of the mount prevent snagging and “Busted Knuckle Syndrome”, while the unique skeletonized riser reduces the overall weight of the mount.

KDG plans to continue releasing more Sidelok models for other common optics, including one for the recently released Trijicon MRO. The new Aimpoint Micro Mount is currently available on their website and at their authorized dealers and distributors. MSRP for the mount is $139.00. For more information visit the links below.

SIDELOK – AIMPOINT MICRO MOUNT

KDG AUTHORIZED DEALERS & DISTRIBUTORS

FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/kineticdevgru

INSTAGRAM: @kineticdevgroup

SIDELOK MICRO #6-SMALL

Shellback Tactical Hard Armor

Shellback Tactical’s Level IV Stand Alone Hard Armor Plates are now available and in stock. These single curve, shooter’s cut, 10″ x 12″ plates are NIJ 06 certified and weigh 6.9 pounds each. See the spec sheet below for more details.

shellback_tactical_active_shooter_kit_shellback_plates__76543.1445960437.1280.1280

These plates are available separately or as part of a package that includes a Banshee plate carrier and two plates for $500!

Shellback Tactical – Level IV Hard Armor Spec Sheet by Shellback Tactical Gear

Battle Arms Development Advanced Tactical Grip – BAD-ATG

If you can’t decide between an AR-15 grip with a more vertical grip angle or a more traditionally raked back grip angle, the new Battle Arms Development Advanced Tactical Grip (BAD-ATG) might be for you. It offers 3 different grip angle (17, 25, & 33 degrees) that can be configured by the user during the installation.

The BAD-ATG has very subtle finger grooves and a mix of textures to keep you locked onto the grip. Check out the new grip at Battle Arms Development.

BAD Grip

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