Again, Im going by what I see. I say keep to the caliber your rifle is chambered for as long as you can! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It sucks at everything except punching through a sheet steel helmet at 600 meters, which is what it was actually designed to do. No sight picture, and no sight is going to compensate for yanking on the trigger. +43 cookies to you. WebClint Smith began teaching his Urban Rifle doctrine, using the AR carbine for self-defense and law enforcement situations in the early 80s. I have no idea why/when gun jesus became his handle in the community, but suffice to say, I would readily debate him if this is, in fact, his espoused position. Accept it as it is, or re-examine your role in society. With thousands of rounds through them. And I even messed up some of the milling on my 80%. The Ranger responded, 'Because they don't make a 46. I know all. That way, you know your rifle, its parts, how its built and functions. The Thunder Ranch AK pistol also comes with an RD custom SLR Rifleworks 9 M-LOK handguard. And thesurveysays! Okay? I guess you must be smarter than a 2 min Google search. Anything other than an AR15 and you are dependent on a stationary weapons cache at least for parts. People have been farming, trading, running shops, and manufacturing for thousands of years for profit. Q:How did you first get into training?A:I dont think I was very good at it at the time, but my first experience training was in Vietnam. (But make SURE it's not already listed. So then we were allowed to carry 1911s. Staff G.A. So we kept thunder, and it was a ranch, so it became Thunder Ranch. These guns are an investment in quality as well as the linage of pistol craft witheach example accompanied by a numbered build sheet signed by Clint Smith and Jason Burton and bearing both the Thunder Ranch and Heirloom Precision logos. Plus the fact every gun store that I have been to also carried 7.6239 and I have been to many in Maryland, Virginia, Florida, Pennsylvania, and every gun show I have been to. . The Rifle Dynamics Limited Edition Thunder Ranch RD700 pistol retails for $3,250. ", "An armed man will kill an unarmed man with monotonous regularity. Eagle meat is never kosher because of the arrangement of the talons. That ammo isnt going anywhere (except into someones bunker at some point) regardless of how much SHTF. That said, Im going to be a fricken goldmine when they kill me. In law enforcement, people only attend training because they are required too, but [Gunsite] was the first environment where I saw people that really did want to learn. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. If you have a stockpile, good enough. Keep your sanity re safety. LOGISTICS should be the most important factor in deciding on a fighting rifle/pistol. I had the chance to talk with Thunder Ranch about what ammo Clint uses in his 1911. WebAction Finish Metal Finish: Matte Cerakote, Black Stock Finish: Dipped, Multicam Barrel Length 18 in. But a whole second rifle? Whats your experience? Uncle Adolf commanded his Riech from a castle nicknamed the Eagles nest a top a mountain in Bavaria for much of The War. Buckeye Firearms Association is a grassroots organization dedicated to defending and advancing the right of citizens to own and use firearms for all legal activities, including self-defense, hunting, competition, and recreation. Just layin around? Once those factors are met, then the philosophy of the designers (dictated by the government) starts to enter the design. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Without getting into the differences between .223 and 5.56 both are perfectly viable out to ranges beyond which most people can shoot without optics. In 83 I started my own business, ITC, International Training Consultants, and worked on the road from 1983 to 1993, and the only exception was in 1986 worked for one year setting up the training division for HK America. As for his assertion not to build an AR15, its good advice for most people because most people dont know what theyre doing with tools or bother to research parts based on compatibility and reliability. This isnt going to be US army vs Russian army conventional warfare unless you are an idiot. Firearms|Rifles By Drew BryantAugust 16th, 2022, theloadoutblog.com Rifle Dynamics and Thunder Ranch are teaming up again to bring another Limited Edition build brought to you by the legendary Clint Smith. probably because I spent far more time with it on MGs and G3/CETMEs than I ever did with my issue M16A2 or civilian AR15. I was in Golf Company while in 2/4. Rear sight modified for one-handed operations https://youtu.be/H0qe45Z8wfk. If all that is wiped away, you got bigger problems on your hands than can be solved by an AR and some MREs. Exactly what does Thunder Pants think TEOTWAWKI is going to look like? ALL of Clints advice is based on Murphys law, and therefore its all GOOD ADVICE. I fell in love with the Performance Center S&W 629 V-Comp years ago but dang they are expensive. One of the advantages of the modern war on terror is theres been a remarkable improvement in projectilesDPX, POWR Ball, the Honey Badger. Theres a lot of fiddly bits in the AR piston system that most people wont understand the interaction of until they spend a few weeks trying to figure out why their AR keeps shortstroking. Q:You teach a lot of different kinds of courses here at Thunder Ranch, what is your favorite one to teach?A:Urban Rifle. its a showing off item, because he can, he can shoot anything well, so choose what makes him feel good. He allowed me to grow, and he allowed me to grow inside something that was also growing. Hes a colonel of Marines, and that was box or a niche that I fit nicely into being a corporal of Marines. The first is my sheriff, whos passed now, his name was Charles Meeks and he provided me the opportunity to get training and to expand the training program that we had. By any chance does it also say to you Move somewhere where there arent any freaking hurricanes?. Back in 2020, Rifle Dynamics and Thunder Ranch brought us the Thunder Ranch AK, built under the design specifications of Clint Smith. Ive never had a problem with my builds except the staked Anderson BCG gas key loosening on my 300 blk. Bad Schtuff tends to happen at night, and we are accountable for where very round goes. Centuries old, so believe it. HART is the next step in the precision rifle series that stretches the reach of the of the shooter with their rifle. WebA collaborative design effort between Thunder Ranchs Clint Smith and Nighthawk engineers, the TR model encompasses the feature set of the perfect fighting pistol. Building my second ar and whats wrong with magpul? Get weekly news and instant alerts on the latest laws and politics that affect your gun rights. Guns and ammo are for the less-than-total collapse. Just because Stoner made a claim of novelty for his patent, does not mean that it actually is outside the definition of the term direct impingement. Smith & Wesson sells the PERFORMANCE CENTER Model 325 Thunder Ranch: a matte black .45-caliber Scandium-framed revolver, complete with a gold bead sight and undersnout picatinny rail (not shown for some reason). That bad boy msrps at an eye-watering $1,329.00. As for the price of Mr. Smiths carry gun, if you have to ask you cant afford it. Fudds and Fud advice everywhere in this comment section. Amen to that. But they are very different in design philosophy, even tho both work towards the same goal. A recoil-operated semi-automatic pistol, chambered in either .45 ACP or 9 mm Luger, the Combat Special is a blending of Smiths old-school grit with the old-world Im not going to buy his rifle, just because he thinks my build or any others that build are not good rifles. A long time. 95% of the people who build and AR either get lucky or have no idea WTF they are doing. Some families, you know, dont have guns. Now for my 2 cents worth! If you are as poor a pistol competitor as i am, youll quickly find out what training and equipment can fix that problem. Me too. Robert Farago is the former publisher of The Truth About Guns (TTAG). This Clint Smith 1911 item is a VERY nice glamor piece. A gun that you cant easily find parts and ammo for will very quickly become a paper weight. But as a purely practical matter, my AK will handle any actual probable perp as well as your precious AR will, and with cheaper ammo and far less probability of breaking. In which case, ammo wont make a bit of difference. Maybe you could elaborate more so we have a complete understanding of the conversation. You lip flapping about me? And again, I got to grow, I was allowed to grow inside a box. Polished blue finish Im not trying to start a war, just saying that the one that doesnt need the spare parts cache might be the better bet when the SHTF. (I also have a Mini-14, just in case things really get ugly and I get attached by broad sides of barns.). Vote. [], By Drew BryantAugust 16th, 2022, theloadoutblog.com. Thats a bit much. If you have to kill a person, a coyote, or a bobcat, 223/556 is just fine. . Or what parts are more important than others. Last I heard at the start of the whole Syria fiasco the Ruskies are runnin 5.45 so are the Chinese and the North Koreans. Beavertail grip safety Certainly, knowing how to fix what you have is a plus. Clint Smith is the Director of Thunder Ranch 1 in Oregon, where he teaches firearm tactics, self-defense and freely gives his opinions on a variety of topics. I served six years in the Marines Corps as an 0311. Clint Smith, President and Director of Thunder Ranch, is a Marine Corps veteran of two infantry and Combined Action Platoon tours in Vietnam. Nothings wrong with assembling your own AR. Well that works a whole heck of a lot better if youve built a few rifles so you know how they go together. I will post content once a week at minimum or more often if time allows. According to a recent Federal Emergency Management Agency report, fewer people are "prepping" today compared to previous years. This is Jason of Heirloom Precision we are talking about. I got to build the Firebox, the North Range, the Playhouse, the new rifle rangeall those things came under my time there. Its a heavy beast, but i cant afford to miss as my protection detail has me in crowds and around children. most of us are better off with standard rifles from a reputable manufacturer, you need to keep some loaded clips for your firearm around cause in an urgency you dont want to have to load. My guess would be yes, the 45 should kick less, I am only basing this on my 5 Coonan having a little more felt recoil than a 5 45 1911. His work appears very, very nice. I would expect no less. Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives. In my minds eye, it was the last true example of American industrial might coming together for a common goal, to fight a common enemy. To begin with, this Thunder Ranch is a full-size 1911 with a 5-inch barrel, made entirely of steel, and weighing in at a solid 41.3 ounces. This needs to be made clear, all of our students are vetted, everyone who comes here has to prove that they have no criminal record. As for the viability of 5.56, it aint the best but it WILL get the job done(especially the 75+grain stuff). I think you underestimate just how much truly cheap surplus x39 is still hanging around in garages and closets. In every commie hellhole in the middleeast, Africa, Russia etc. WebWHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO IN THE CLASS. Its available in both .45 ACP and 9mm, but as Landon Stone of Nighthawk related to me, its almost all 9mm now. He has good points. To achieve certain flight parameters, there are certain way the wing and control surfaces must be made. Being everybody exaggerates, we can safely cut that back one half or more. Building an AR is not rocketry. If i had not built at least one AR i woud have no idea how to fix the ones I have. Both the AR and the AK work extremely well for their intended role. It is all a matter of degrees. Having a hundred loaded mags on hand means you can just toss away a mag without wasting time on it PLUS it means that others can resupply from you. WebClint Smith, a Marine Corps veteran and President & Director of Thunder Ranch, began his relationship with Smith & Wesson in the mid-70s, carrying a Smith & Wesson Model 19 as But my first reaction was, No light, no light rail, and no RMR. Polished blue finish WOW took almost an hour. But we do know that the AK platform is not the most accurate when accuracy counts. Not in my house. Change the channel to Oprah? Sergei, Those people who would be surprised that an AR is somehow not a true DI gun would include everyone from firearms designers to gunsmiths, and firearms historians. Color of a car, for example, means little to me (which has exasperated several car salesmen). . it has niche applications in AR platforms, but then again, it defeats the purpose of using intermediate rounds for all-round use. That quote, the sentiment behind it, and the desire to create something perfect speaks to me. Clint Smith (Owner of Thunder Ranch) had Aero Precision cut out a section of the magwell on both sides. The bonus being, unlike a burro or lama, you can feed them your enemies. There are many guys that do lack the equipment, patience or skills to translate that desire to build their own into reality. Q:On your journey in firearms training, was there anyone in particular who left a lasting impression on you?A:There are two. . After the FBI shooting [in Miami] Ive taught more Urban Rifle classes than any of the other types of classes, combinedlike if you take of all of the different pistol classes we teach and put them together, Ive taught more Urban Rifle classes. Note I say nothing about which breaks less. I own both an AK and AR, 1911 and glock. To stay up to date with the website, hit that subscribe button. As a practical matter, I (and I will assume, you) am no longer in the long-range killing business. A US Palm reinforced magazine, A2 brake and Thunder Ranch two-point sling round out the rifles features. If you know of a gun quote from Mr. Smith not listed here, send it to us. Throw a couple spare part kits in the BOB, and your golden. And not only in our government? Building an AR isnt exactly difficult, unless you start with an 80% lower. That makes you a moron and certainly soon to be dead shortly after the SHTF. I have no idea WTF this moron gun jesus is, but if hes making the argument that an as originally designed AR-platform somehow isnt definitively DI, he needs mental help. Yes, every once in a while you get lucky and purchase a Yenko Mustang, but that is the exception, not the rule. If money is no object, thats great. Meh. Kart match grade barrel with stainless barrel bushing To be very specific AR-15/M-16 would be described as pseudo direct gas impingement with a bolt carrier group encompassing an internal piston, whereas almost every firearm with a gas system would have an external piston with a separate bolt carrier group. Besides getting some serious trigger time in, he has these games you play as a group that make you think and shoot at the same time. So, yes, the .357 Mag will accelerate its bullet down the bore much more quickly than the .45 ACP. There is a reason firing a 1 1/5 ounce high brass slug from a 12 gauge feels very much like firing a 300 grain bullet (standard charge) from a .300 H&H Magnum rifle. All this depends on the source and how much they actually know for example Janes Defense would be a better source than say Prepper Joe Bobs Sooper Gun Blog. To be clear, he never called himself that, its something fans made up. and I really like having the light. with Surefire Muzzle Brake/Adaptor Barrel Type Bartlein Stainless Steel 5R rifling GAP #6 Contour (GAP Marksman/Varmint) 1:10" twist rate twist rate Standard Threaded The G.A. Dont we already have chaos? My desire and passion to constantly strive for perfection drives my work and vision for my craft. Learning different guns is a good idea. Thats what your bolt carrier is. Mookie said much the same thing, you either build guns or you use them you dont hear a lot about Samurais hammering out their own katanas back in feudal Japan. Yes, I know the gun wasnt loaded, but Im not too much on the way he kept moving his fingers in front of the barrel, with the hammer cocked. Its not only that, but ounces equal pounds, pounds equals pain. So i respect Clints choice for that. The pilot must be in a certain position to be able to see whats going on. Shotguns have a very high velocity of recoil. And at any rate, if TSHTF, you must be prepared and set up to load your own! (Lets be honest, nobody has designed another pukes-in-its-own-mouth turd since before Stoners raygun hit the drawing board, and highly unlikely unlikely that anyone ever will again. I was in 2nd BN 4th Marines, 5th Marine Reg, 1st Mar Div. Striving for perfection and never releasing your work until it is 100% perfect actually means that you will never finish and never produce a product. Everyone wants to put a TV screen (red-dot optic) on their gun now, and Ive got no problem with that, were going to start training with them here so we can do a great job on that, but no TV screen is going to compensate for yanking on the trigger. this is, in fact, my shocked face. Caliber war? Three of each gun?! The jokes on him. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. With over 40 years of teaching people to stay alive in a harsh world Clint Smith, director of Thunder Ranch, Inc. and International Training Consultants, has So the shield is defenseaccuracy, power and speed. Theres a reason for that), This may have something to do with the whole Gun Jesus thing: Unless you like building ARs and keeping Magpul in business. Good times. The sight is the last visual control over the projectile, the trigger is the last physical control. When I was there we started doing double classes, which was really good for growth from an organizational standpoint: How does this range work? Ive got enough spare parts that I will build another very soon. James Yeager recommends keeping a spare fully assembled bolt in the battery compartment of your grip just in case you break an extractor or shear a locking lug because the AR15 bolt will do both. Most people will have a hard time moving with 3000 rounds of 5.55 in magazines hanging off of them. Mere mortals need to make do with what they can. These pistols are further enhanced with modifications such as a weld-up frame and slide fit, flattened and serrated slide top with 3-point curved arrow pattern, detailed frame and slide with all lines straighten and trued, rear slide serrations, best quality trigger job, and bordered slide amongst many others. Shop for your 22 ammo too! so i suck it up and carry heavy. When we went to Texas to do Thunder Ranch, we wanted to keep the logo, but we wanted to add something so people would know that [Thunder Ranch] was more, and was bigger [compared to ITC]. Im more likely to need to a retirement cashe than an apocalypse cashe. Hello, everyone and welcome to The Loadout Blog. What does a big ole hurricane say to you? Since that time Clint has been an invaluable mentor and friend who has helped shape my philosophy on carry guns and gear. Hundreds of mags each? A $10K pistol says something about Mr. Smiths bottom line up there at Thunder Ranch. And mark your magazines with date loaded, and load. If it doesnt exist, create it. That wasnt us, we had guns. You may be able to save yourself and your family. http://www.businessinsider.com/russian-militarys-ak-12-assault-rifle-passed-field-tests-2017-7, http://modernfirearms.net/assault/rus/ak-74-e.html. Here are the specs: Colt Commercial style thumb safety Was a bit surprised by this article that Clint isnt carrying one of those anymore actually. Its like buying a second car to have the parts to fix the first one. Q:Any story behind the name?A:Thunder Ranch? I was an M79 grenadier, so I used a 40 mm grenade launcher and was issued an M1911 pistol. For more on the Thunder Ranch RD700 pistol or other Rifle Dynamic AKs, click here. The sword is more important than the shield, and skill is more important than either. The three red stripes are for accuracy, power and speed. WebFactory New In Box Les Baer Thunder Ranch Special 45 acp . That's ridiculous. Knock down, durability and feel are my reasons. Clint aint wrong here. COPYRIGHT 2021, THETRUTHABOUTGUNS.COM. Q:And, just to set the Internet on fire, again9 mm vs. .45, any thoughts?A:Doesnt matter if you dont hit em. During the summer I had the opportunity to visit Clint and Heidi Smith at their Thunder Ranch training facility in Oregon for the unveiling of the Nighthawk Custom/Thunder Ranch Combat Special pistol. Yeah, well thats just like, your opinion, man. Yes, there are a lot of you that prefer 9 mm.