I bet I wasn't the only one who looked next to the bed at the rifle on standby while watching this. Great points and solid advice. Keep em coming and I'll keep watching.
Times change. Bought a very nice ar15, Aero Precision, for $550 during the glut of supply and low demand. Timing is everything. Training to learn how to use it? $50 per hour, 5 hour class, professionals. Follow on classes, 3 more levels same same hours and money. Weapon acquisition, ante. Training, $1,000. Plus ammo. Reid, I totally respect you. Emphasize price of training and it's value. You have the cred to address it.
Here's another option. Have multiple weapons in multiple calibers for those times when ammo might be scarce or overpriced ( like in 2020 ) Train with each, stock up on ammo, mags etc. When times get tough and lawlessness becomes widespread, you and your neighbors can protect your neighborhood. Very good video Reid, all SOLID points.
Shane K Buy what runs best. I know I have one rifle that is a little picky with HP ammo so I pay just a tad more and run soft points through it. IMHO a 7.62x39 is gonna hit plenty hard no matter the bullet type.
Bearfootbob depends on what type walls are in your home 00 buck will penetrate interior walls..when I lived alone I used Buck and Ball a 65cal solid ball and 6#1 buck out in the country I did not have to worry about killing a neighbor after ball passed clean through a home invader but in suburb you do...even if totaly in the right to shoot the first person if your round harms an innocent after it passes through your open to civil law suit
My $500 wasr works just great. Even put together slightly crooked. Never had a failure with steel case ammo or any of the 3 different mags that I run. Puts the lead down range and on target.
Wassr is great. They get a bad rap but the one I have has failed 3 times in 5000 rds. Ammo related only. Tula steel. One swelled case 2 bad primers. Gun is strong.
built a rifle for 500 from the ground up, same parts used on the mcx and ruger ar15s. im in college and this is reliable. 3000 rounds downrange with no issues or malfunctions. 800 bucks in it with light, mags, optic, irons, and sling. watched all of your vids and they are great with good information.
The way I choose my rifle was to find one that came close to what I had in the Army. I choose civilian version Colt LE6920 M4 Carbine. Bought it back in Dec 2012 and it cost me over $1,200.00.The rifle is worth every penny and glad I bought it. This rifle came very close to what I had and the only difference is my civilian M4 carbine cannot fire three round burst. Everything else on the rifle is the same. So no learning curb when it came to using the weapon and cleaning it.
My time with the M16 really left a bad taste in my mouth for the AR style. First weapon I ever bought was an AK, reliable, and accurate enough for what I need it for, up to 300m's with iron sights.
I have an AR-15 on the main floor in my bedroom. I have an AK-47 In the basement. Both have 5 loaded magazines ready to go. I also always have an M&P 9 on me with two spare mags and various stuff in other rooms. I really need to mount a flashlight on them though. I can't rely on my hand held lights, and possibly forget it or fumble using it or not be able to properly control the weapon.
Sw mp 15 with a sig sauer vertical grip that holds 2 CR123A batteries and im toting a surefire m600p scout light. Im still working on an optic, but not too concerned because my shotgun is my go to homd defense gun, but my AR is my Ferguson and baltimore gun. The gun is suler reliable; I've put about 1500 rounds through it and only had 1 jam. I would shoot more, but ive got my glock and shotgun to practice with. My glock mainly because i carry that and to me a carry gun is my first priority. Thanks reid!
Haven't been on UA-cam in a while, but man the channel has grown and your content is outstanding. This is one of my favorite channels out there. Love hearing you talk and teach about things. Can't wait to train with you one day. Very goo video Reid! Keep up the great work man!
Really good advice... I served as a munitions systems and light weapons specialist with expert marksman rating so, I have an idea of your requirements. I have a couple of "bargain" ARs that I bought/built for under $500.00 as "secondary" weapons, one to hand to someone with me, etc.. I even have a Franklin Armory with the "fancy" trigger (wink, wink 😉). However... The AR I *count on,* everytime I pull the trigger?? A *CORE15.* It came with basic, MOE Magpul furniture (Not needed over stock but, a reasonable upgrade), a few Magpul magazines and I added a "Surefire" light. Rifle- $1,200 (right before the first, "Obama panic buy") + the light and a Magpul sling, aprox. $1,500 total. It's good from now to eternity with just an "OOPS kit" for essential replacement maintenance parts. Remove the Magpul furniture/mags and run stock AR furniture, a few steel, govt. mags and a decent, $75.00 light (keep the Magpul sling)... About $1,000. Good factory warranty, durable, made in FLA. They make all their primary components for upper and lower in *one* factory so, fitment is never an issue. Whatever brand you decide to buy, be sure the same is true so you don't have a sloppy upper/lower marriage and need wedges and such to keep it from rattling and the factory warranty covers everything, with no issues. 😊
I bought an slr107 because I've seen you with them . So far it seems like a solid rifle thanks for all you do for this country . You are the epitome of a true patriot
Reid, I like what you stand for and I like your delivery methods in your videos. I bought a Norinco SKS, which has never jammed on me out of 2,000 rounds or so. Cheap cartidges might cause a problem in some weapons, but even the cheap ones fire a 7.62 x 39 round reliably. The reason I bought it is SKS's have a fixed 10 round mag and here in "fluffy" Caifornia, you can't buy rifles with more than a 10 round mag and you can't own the 30 round mag without fear of a cop sending you to jail even if you killed an inturder with that weapon. My experience (not as recent as yours) has been that no matter how well the weapon functions, if the individual gets too high on his/her adrenaline, the game is close to over for them. After being in the Army for 10 years (Vietnam, plus 3 tours in Korea), I don't have that adrenaline fear/rush anymore (at a few years over 60 years old it might be that I am too old to fear death anymore too?). I once shot a quail at 30 yards flying across my front with a pellet gun. I also shot a buck jumping off a cliff in mid-air through the heart with iron sights at 75 yards (jumping downhill across my front). What makes the rifle good is the way the individual "trains" and keeps their wits about them in panic situations or adrenline situations. Of course, my home defense weapon of choice is a pump shotgun loaded with quail load, turkey load, 00 buck, 00 buck, slug, slug.... The slugs are incase they try to limp away from the fight and get some distance out there :-) I hope people who have limited weapons experience take your course and practice, practice, practice. I wish your type of a course was available when I was younger, but I received real world experience and training.
schecterc1exotic By saying that I can only assume that is the caliber YOU are most effective with and I guess that's going to be your go to. I Hope your purse matches your rifle.
Personal recommendation, if you're forced to go cheap leave the idea of government calibers behind and get a marlin lever gun. Not optimal but it sure does work.
i agree in whole. my favorite is a mosin utilizing 7.62x54 rimmed. mainly due to cost and reliability. because a bolt are seldom to falter as opposed to a semi-auto. but bolts actions have a slower cyclic rate. but that does allow to manage your ammo usage. because wile i was in the army. i double tapped the trigger many times. i see that as wasting ammo.
Thanks again Reid, more good advice from a consummate teacher. With my newly acquired ailment, I find it harder, but not impossible to train as much as I would like. Having good equipment is a help, and so are my new training buddies. My grandchildren are learning as much as I can teach them, much to the dismay of their school teachers. I teach them the history of our family (some on both sides of every war we've been in before 1950), and the history of this country. One even got in an argument with his teacher in 8th grade for contradicting him and his skewed view of our country and leadership. He watches your channel with me and when we go to the library, looks up what you've said and uses it, and references the actual books he finds the info in. Thank you for your continued teaching and information.
Another awesome video. I broke down last year and purchased a Windam Weaponry AR 15 for a little more then $900.00. A quality system based on tons of research. The bonus was the wife said, if you buy an AR we need a gun safe. I said score! I've added a red dot light /laser combo. Keep it simple. Accurate as heck. Soft shooting, great trigger polished from Windam. I feel much better with a great Battle Rifle in the house ready to go.
I've never heard Reid give anything but GREAT advice. I did the same thing....saving to get a really good rifle. having 2 kids,wife, it's not always easy to throw $1000+ on a gun. I am blessed that my wife is on board 100%. She told me to get a good one and it's an investment,security for our family,we can hunt..etc. she now has a concealed carry permit also!!!!! She is amazing!
I would like to hear your opinions on two different classes of rifles not discussed in this video. Short barrel rifle caliber pistols, converted to SBR's. And secondly, pistol caliber carbines. Specifically: 1. My work gun (as a SWAT Negotiator) is a Bushmaster Carbon 15 Pistol converted (with a tax stamp) to a SBR with a short thumb hole stock, with G.i. and P-Mags; 2. A Pap AK Pistol with a Sig type brace (currently in my gun room awaiting a more positive ruling), with metal AK mags;; and 3. A Kel-Tec .40 caliber Sub 2000 (my other work gun as a uniform police sergeant) that uses my Glock 22 and larger capacity Glock magazines. I feel that these guns fulfill your requirements (with the exception of caliber in the Sub 2000), and certainly mine. And, they run 100% reliable. I know that in all probability I will never shoot long distance, but instead from within a vehicle,or CQB, out to maybe 25 yards. By my bed..... a 12 gauge, a light, and a Glock. Whatcha think???
i bought a ptr91 battle rifle, its a hkg3 clone made on HK machines using HK blueprints, made in the USA, ptr made the receiver, and used some surplus HK g3 parts, the caliber is 761x51, i bought HK made metal 20rd, mags from, keep shooting .com they were $1.50 ea if you bought 100 mags, most were new in the wrappers, only about 5 had any wear, hk puts the date on the mags when they were made most were in the 1960,s and some in the 80,s, i really like the rifle and it will last me for my lifetime like reed said, Walmart used the carry zqi ammo, made to Nato specs, and the ammo is good fmj. i stocked up and store it in the mags.
Reid, I just want you to know how glad I am to see you starting your own business. The morals behind your teaching are top notch. Good luck in your future endeavors. As soon as I can afford to ill be coming down for your classes. Semper Fi brother.
Sorry things didn't work out with yaeger man but great channel and it's refreshing to have a different voice with a clear mind and good advice out here keep up the good work and I look forward to more great videos
AK all the way. I'm a professional shooter over here in Australia and there aren't many of us who can own semi-automatics with the exception of people like me who own hunting businesses for large scale eradication of pests like feral pigs, dogs, goats etc. When it came time for me to choose I knew I needed something that was going to last forever and managed to get a Saiga IZ-132. Russian made, hasn't had a single failure yet, shoots the fucking shit out of everything it's pointed at. Shit hits the fan I know my arse is covered. Pity we don't have training schools like Valor Ridge over here though. Pity we don't have a lot of things over here like you guys have over there. If I was a rich man I'd move over in a heartbeat.
Fahad Ayoub I been buying palmetto since they offered 4 or 5 models and quality has gone up material wise ! But quality control is a issue and a lot of times u can’t get through to them! I have switched to aero precision now due to this I still love my palmetto rifles tho and may buy a ak from them
Reid, what do you think about purchasing a rifle vs building your own? I'd really like to build one but I need to know exactly - what exactly makes a rifle reliable? And what makes one rifle reliable while another may not be reliable? No one has ever explained this. Can you weigh in on this or perhaps make a new video to address this subject to the new gun owner and aspiring AR builder?
My Arsenal Sam7sf is a monster it has never failed me once aside from one bad tula round got stuck half way down the tube. I've shot many AR15s but my BCM stacks up right next to my Sam7 it's the best most durable and rugged rifle I've owned. I love them both and have trained on them both. Of you are an AR15 kinda guy if suggest BCM. Great reliable rifles at very affordable prices
A $560 2015 WASR or Npap will do anything an slr will do. Except have a stock that folds. Both are factory built rifles with CHF barrels and they will run. For AKs price doesn't always determine reliability. Factory built AKs with CHF barrels and $10 steel surplus mags equal reliability.
I gotta get up there and train with you, Reid. You have the right attitude brother. Great video. I'm a broke college kid and saved up to get a few good rifles, first an SKS, sold it for an AK, then built an AR. I'm a lighter guy, so saving the weight helped a lot. I think a huge factor is your body type. AK/AR can't go wrong as long as u can handle it and it doesn't handle you.
I don't know if this was mentioned elsewhere in the replies, but if you do your homework, you can find great values that are fairly inexpensive and great values. Right now, WASR 10s are turning out to be awesome values. There were serious problems, but new ones are rivalling much more expensive AK clones for performance, at a much lower price. A machine gun rental range in Las Vegas reports WASRs going over 80,000 rounds, doing FA mag dumps! I picked mine up for a little over $600, and in over a thousand rounds, I've had one stoppage due to ammo, and a few mag issues due to cosmoline gunk. After I cleaned the mags out, they have been flawless!
Pretty far off from being able to take one of your classes but I do want to say that I will most certainly be giving you my business. An instructor that knows our history, is thoughtful, well spoken and intelligent is very much needed in the firearms world! I certainly hope you will be giving little history lessons during the courses!
I am Glad to see you opening a facility in East TN...I have enjoyed your views on history and on firearms...such as the fact 6.8 was an answer to a non existent problem since 7.62x39 performs almost identical and is much more economical.
Excellent video worth heeding the advice. I've said the same thing as you if you won't bet your life on it it's not worth having. I bought an LMT AR-15 in 5.56 years ago never one stove pipe or FTF goes bang every time and I've run steel case all brands and brass reloads I've done myself as well as military stuff green tip and civilian produced. Iron sites, a good bright white light and sometimes I switch between a barska 1x4 scope with mil dots would prefer a lighted radical or the TRS red dot, all my mags are Pmags no particular reason just the feel in hand in the dark I know the feel of the Pmag so there's no fumbling around and cause of it's design you can get a good grip on them not to smooth not to rough.
Got a PSA AR-15 for 469 originally 699. Got 1000 rds of fiocchi 55gr and 10 pmag 30s for 339. Got a magpul ms3 sling and a sig romeo5 on sale for 119. All free shipping. Literally the gun optic sling, 10 mags, and 1000 rounds of ammo for less than a grand. Now to buy some training!
Hey man your videos are awesome. Keep doing what you're doing. Because of you I'm went and took the CWP test. Got a hundred on the written and 98 on the shooting Thanks
I agree with the "how much is your life worth" sentiment to a degree. That being said, in the AK world we have very reliable options in terms of longevity with beginner rifles like the WASR 10s for example. You look at channels like AKOU where Rob Ski absolutely brutalizes all sorts of budget rifles that come out of testing still running like a dream and there are hundreds of love stories between veteran AK shooters and their beginner rifles that outlast even some of the other more top of the line competitors. I guess my point is dont knock budget rifles just for the price. You just have to do your proper homework before purchasing them.
Another excellent video! In my house I would grab my Winchester 1300 defender with a light attached. Outside, the AR with a light attached... Of course my favorite is the scout squad bare bones...But as you say, you gotta see what you're shooting at...
Bought a DPMS Oracle, Aero BCG swap, FREE JMT 3.5lb trigger, light/laser and red dot. When I pull the trigger it goes BOOM!!! Hope I hit something. PS $499 with a Rebate of $100 at Dunham's in 2016
Valhalla14 Yeager may very well be great at what he does, I really don't know. listening to his arrogant self praising, I'm better, smarter, and faster than you babble of his is truly obnoxious.
Good advice Ammo is what you didn't mention. You can have a very reliable rifle, and magazine and have shitty ammo and still have the equivalent of a 7 pound club. I have run across some bad tula steel that I have shot with my Saiga AK 47. Problem wasn't with the Rifle but with the primer in the ammo wasn't seated properly from the manufacture
Ok, I know that some will rag on me for not getting a detachable box magazine rifle. I own an M56/ 66A1 Yugoslavian SKS with a ten round fixed magazine. I also own an M1 Garand. I am good with the SKS and have carried the M1 in the field when I used to do WW-2 reenacting. The only trouble I have is finding the .30-06 in Garand Safe loads. None of the sporting goods departments or gun stores near me carry American Eagle .30-06 Springfield Garand or even remanufactured M2 Ball.
Great vidio. Not saying a rifle is not a good home defense choice because they are but its just not my first choice. But for me when It came to buying my first rifles it came down to my budget, availability of amo, and parts in a shtf scenario and because i live in the U.S.A. I chose an ar15. Its a common gun around me and its the 5.56 is a common round in my environment. Not saying every one in the USA should own an ar15 but thats just my choice.
+1 on the premium rifles being worth every penny. Save $200-$500-$1,000 for what? Shit food? Movies? Alcohol? Netflix? Driving I don’t need to do? You CAN afford it. Whether or not you’re willing to is another question.
Good video. I liked your views on magazine numbers. I think 6-7 is the perfect amount. I always wondered why people would feel that they needed 20 or 30 magazines.
My two self-defense rifles are the M&P 15 Sport II and My Ruger mini-14 in 300 AAC Blackout. To me it kind of makes sense to have two rifles rather than one really expensive rifle.
Iron sights are the way to go. I would rather have a chunk of iron in front of my face if getting shot at rather than plastic. Those iron sights could actually save your face from getting shot of over a plastic sight that could get trashed if shot and maybe still hit your face
Excellent video Reid!! Your channel has really come into its own. I love that mAK 90 man!! Its not all cute and pretty but it has it where it counts and it just friggin works. No muzzle device. It has actually been used *GASP* I save my pennies for RDs stuff too lol.
Just picked up a DD m4 v11 pro yes, I got an acog for it ,( iron sights too. ) a red dot, and a 4×12 too. Thanks. Hope you get to teach me a couple things some day.
Great video. I am what you would call a poor mans prepper. Have been that way since the late 90's. I guess before prepping became "cool". That being said. I have a Norinco SKS. I got it for $200. Have put thousands of rounds through it and it fires every time I pull the trigger. Trust me. I would love to get an $800-1000 rifle. But my wife won't let me ;-) Do you have any opinions on the SKS? I subscribed and look forward to more videos bud. Keep up the good work.
I bet I wasn't the only one who looked next to the bed at the rifle on standby while watching this. Great points and solid advice. Keep em coming and I'll keep watching.
Times change. Bought a very nice ar15, Aero Precision, for $550 during the glut of supply and low demand. Timing is everything.
Training to learn how to use it? $50 per hour, 5 hour class, professionals. Follow on classes, 3 more levels same same hours and money.
Weapon acquisition, ante. Training, $1,000. Plus ammo. Reid, I totally respect you. Emphasize price of training and it's value. You have the cred to address it.
Here's another option. Have multiple weapons in multiple calibers for those times when ammo might be scarce or overpriced ( like in 2020 ) Train with each, stock up on ammo, mags etc. When times get tough and lawlessness becomes widespread, you and your neighbors can protect your neighborhood. Very good video Reid, all SOLID points.
Solid advice.
Shane K Buy what runs best. I know I have one rifle that is a little picky with HP ammo so I pay just a tad more and run soft points through it. IMHO a 7.62x39 is gonna hit plenty hard no matter the bullet type.
Shane K I like the hornady SST plastic tip stuff.
Shane K yea wolf works good.
Bearfootbob depends on what type walls are in your home 00 buck will penetrate interior walls..when I lived alone I used Buck and Ball a 65cal solid ball and 6#1 buck out in the country I did not have to worry about killing a neighbor after ball passed clean through a home invader but in suburb you do...even if totaly in the right to shoot the first person if your round harms an innocent after it passes through your open to civil law suit
Bearfootbob A .40 cal pistol penetrates walls better then a .223 cal rifle.
My $500 wasr works just great. Even put together slightly crooked. Never had a failure with steel case ammo or any of the 3 different mags that I run. Puts the lead down range and on target.
darthcual then you dont need more. As easy as that.
Wassr is great. They get a bad rap but the one I have has failed 3 times in 5000 rds. Ammo related only. Tula steel. One swelled case
2 bad primers. Gun is strong.
built a rifle for 500 from the ground up, same parts used on the mcx and ruger ar15s. im in college and this is reliable. 3000 rounds downrange with no issues or malfunctions. 800 bucks in it with light, mags, optic, irons, and sling. watched all of your vids and they are great with good information.
The way I choose my rifle was to find one that came close to what I had in the Army. I choose civilian version Colt LE6920 M4 Carbine. Bought it back in Dec 2012 and it cost me over $1,200.00.The rifle is worth every penny and glad I bought it. This rifle came very close to what I had and the only difference is my civilian M4 carbine cannot fire three round burst. Everything else on the rifle is the same. So no learning curb when it came to using the weapon and cleaning it.
Chose*
I have the same rifle, and paid the same amount. I had to replace the trigger ...the one it came with was horrible
My time with the M16 really left a bad taste in my mouth for the AR style. First weapon I ever bought was an AK, reliable, and accurate enough for what I need it for, up to 300m's with iron sights.
it is not the gun, the weapon is the person holding it
@@Peace-ju9us Or more likely, the shitty parts the government uses when they have weapons repaired.
I prefer my SKS. I love surplus weapons.
You're the man,Reid. I really enjoy your demeanor toward others.
I just spent $519.00 plus tax on a Smith and Wesson M&P AR15 Sport II. The prices for good guns have come down a little.
My $175 Marlin 30-30 will have to do.
***** best rifle is the one you own and have ammunition for.
I've never not seen 30-30 on the shelves. Its always there.
kop4321 Yup, I had even seen 30-30 ammo on the shelves when other ammo was hard to get.
***** $175? When did you buy it? The 80s? Wouldn't mind having one. That particular caliber is missing from my selection.
Richard Lamoreaux, Indeed I bought my 30-30 in the late 80's.
This is my rifle: there are many like it, but this one is mine.
Tank bro.. Haven't seen you posting on the SOE videos in a minute! Lol
chris delao Ain't nobody got time to watch a 47 minute video of three niggas eatin eggs, and that's all they been producing lately.
TANK SHERMAN Ha! Exactly right.
AWESOME VIDEO I have been a Saiga 7.62 man since I bought my first one for $125 out the door, USN Retired
I have an AR-15 on the main floor in my bedroom. I have an AK-47 In the basement. Both have 5 loaded magazines ready to go. I also always have an M&P 9 on me with two spare mags and various stuff in other rooms. I really need to mount a flashlight on them though. I can't rely on my hand held lights, and possibly forget it or fumble using it or not be able to properly control the weapon.
Sw mp 15 with a sig sauer vertical grip that holds 2 CR123A batteries and im toting a surefire m600p scout light. Im still working on an optic, but not too concerned because my shotgun is my go to homd defense gun, but my AR is my Ferguson and baltimore gun. The gun is suler reliable; I've put about 1500 rounds through it and only had 1 jam. I would shoot more, but ive got my glock and shotgun to practice with. My glock mainly because i carry that and to me a carry gun is my first priority. Thanks reid!
Haven't been on UA-cam in a while, but man the channel has grown and your content is outstanding. This is one of my favorite channels out there. Love hearing you talk and teach about things. Can't wait to train with you one day. Very goo video Reid! Keep up the great work man!
Really good advice...
I served as a munitions systems and light weapons specialist with expert marksman rating so, I have an idea of your requirements.
I have a couple of "bargain" ARs that I bought/built for under $500.00 as "secondary" weapons, one to hand to someone with me, etc..
I even have a Franklin Armory with the "fancy" trigger (wink, wink 😉). However...
The AR I *count on,* everytime I pull the trigger??
A *CORE15.*
It came with basic, MOE Magpul furniture (Not needed over stock but, a reasonable upgrade), a few Magpul magazines and I added a "Surefire" light. Rifle- $1,200 (right before the first, "Obama panic buy") + the light and a Magpul sling, aprox. $1,500 total. It's good from now to eternity with just an "OOPS kit" for essential replacement maintenance parts. Remove the Magpul furniture/mags and run stock AR furniture, a few steel, govt. mags and a decent, $75.00 light (keep the Magpul sling)... About $1,000. Good factory warranty, durable, made in FLA. They make all their primary components for upper and lower in *one* factory so, fitment is never an issue. Whatever brand you decide to buy, be sure the same is true so you don't have a sloppy upper/lower marriage and need wedges and such to keep it from rattling and the factory warranty covers everything, with no issues. 😊
I bought an slr107 because I've seen you with them . So far it seems like a solid rifle thanks for all you do for this country . You are the epitome of a true patriot
Reid, I like what you stand for and I like your delivery methods in your videos. I bought a Norinco SKS, which has never jammed on me out of 2,000 rounds or so. Cheap cartidges might cause a problem in some weapons, but even the cheap ones fire a 7.62 x 39 round reliably. The reason I bought it is SKS's have a fixed 10 round mag and here in "fluffy" Caifornia, you can't buy rifles with more than a 10 round mag and you can't own the 30 round mag without fear of a cop sending you to jail even if you killed an inturder with that weapon.
My experience (not as recent as yours) has been that no matter how well the weapon functions, if the individual gets too high on his/her adrenaline, the game is close to over for them. After being in the Army for 10 years (Vietnam, plus 3 tours in Korea), I don't have that adrenaline fear/rush anymore (at a few years over 60 years old it might be that I am too old to fear death anymore too?). I once shot a quail at 30 yards flying across my front with a pellet gun. I also shot a buck jumping off a cliff in mid-air through the heart with iron sights at 75 yards (jumping downhill across my front). What makes the rifle good is the way the individual "trains" and keeps their wits about them in panic situations or adrenline situations. Of course, my home defense weapon of choice is a pump shotgun loaded with quail load, turkey load, 00 buck, 00 buck, slug, slug.... The slugs are incase they try to limp away from the fight and get some distance out there :-) I hope people who have limited weapons experience take your course and practice, practice, practice. I wish your type of a course was available when I was younger, but I received real world experience and training.
great vid bro!
The best caliber is the one you are most effective with.
HeretoStay33 Oh so I should carry a .22LR? Yeah great logic
schecterc1exotic By saying that I can only assume that is the caliber YOU are most effective with and I guess that's going to be your go to. I Hope your purse matches your rifle.
JohnnyBoyCali So will a properly placed snap stick.
Personal recommendation, if you're forced to go cheap leave the idea of government calibers behind and get a marlin lever gun. Not optimal but it sure does work.
i agree in whole. my favorite is a mosin utilizing 7.62x54 rimmed. mainly due to cost and reliability. because a bolt are seldom to falter as opposed to a semi-auto. but bolts actions have a slower cyclic rate. but that does allow to manage your ammo usage. because wile i was in the army. i double tapped the trigger many times. i see that as wasting ammo.
Thank you. I have been wanting to get a good AK, but didnt really know where to look. Jim fuller here I come
Yup agree with you 100%. There are many things you can cheap out in but your firearm shouldn’t be one of them.
Thanks again Reid, more good advice from a consummate teacher. With my newly acquired ailment, I find it harder, but not impossible to train as much as I would like. Having good equipment is a help, and so are my new training buddies. My grandchildren are learning as much as I can teach them, much to the dismay of their school teachers. I teach them the history of our family (some on both sides of every war we've been in before 1950), and the history of this country. One even got in an argument with his teacher in 8th grade for contradicting him and his skewed view of our country and leadership. He watches your channel with me and when we go to the library, looks up what you've said and uses it, and references the actual books he finds the info in. Thank you for your continued teaching and information.
Another awesome video. I broke down last year and purchased a Windam Weaponry AR 15 for a little more then $900.00. A quality system based on tons of research. The bonus was the wife said, if you buy an AR we need a gun safe. I said score! I've added a red dot light /laser combo. Keep it simple. Accurate as heck. Soft shooting, great trigger polished from Windam. I feel much better with a great Battle Rifle in the house ready to go.
My first AR was a POF Renegade plus, worth every penny. Got a a great deal on it too.
Great video. Non-bias, great advice. No ego, I hope anyone looking for advice finds this video.
Reid your content keeps getting better and better.
I've never heard Reid give anything but GREAT advice. I did the same thing....saving to get a really good rifle. having 2 kids,wife, it's not always easy to throw $1000+ on a gun. I am blessed that my wife is on board 100%. She told me to get a good one and it's an investment,security for our family,we can hunt..etc. she now has a concealed carry permit also!!!!! She is amazing!
I would like to hear your opinions on two different classes of rifles not discussed in this video. Short barrel rifle caliber pistols, converted to SBR's. And secondly, pistol caliber carbines.
Specifically: 1. My work gun (as a SWAT Negotiator) is a Bushmaster Carbon 15 Pistol converted (with a tax stamp) to a SBR with a short thumb hole stock, with G.i. and P-Mags; 2. A Pap AK Pistol with a Sig type brace (currently in my gun room awaiting a more positive ruling), with metal AK mags;; and 3. A Kel-Tec .40 caliber Sub 2000 (my other work gun as a uniform police sergeant) that uses my Glock 22 and larger capacity Glock magazines.
I feel that these guns fulfill your requirements (with the exception of caliber in the Sub 2000), and certainly mine. And, they run 100% reliable. I know that in all probability I will never shoot long distance, but instead from within a vehicle,or CQB, out to maybe 25 yards.
By my bed..... a 12 gauge, a light, and a Glock. Whatcha think???
i bought a ptr91 battle rifle, its a hkg3 clone made on HK machines using HK blueprints, made in the USA, ptr made the receiver, and used some surplus HK g3 parts, the caliber is 761x51, i bought HK made metal 20rd, mags from, keep shooting .com they were $1.50 ea if you bought 100 mags, most were new in the wrappers, only about 5 had any wear, hk puts the date on the mags when they were made most were in the 1960,s and some in the 80,s, i really like the rifle and it will last me for my lifetime like reed said, Walmart used the carry zqi ammo, made to Nato specs, and the ammo is good fmj. i stocked up and store it in the mags.
glad to see the growth of your channel
Love my ar15, just built up a nice 870 and am now saving up for a Springfield M1A
Reid, I just want you to know how glad I am to see you starting your own business. The morals behind your teaching are top notch. Good luck in your future endeavors. As soon as I can afford to ill be coming down for your classes. Semper Fi brother.
Sorry things didn't work out with yaeger man but great channel and it's refreshing to have a different voice with a clear mind and good advice out here keep up the good work and I look forward to more great videos
AK all the way. I'm a professional shooter over here in Australia and there aren't many of us who can own semi-automatics with the exception of people like me who own hunting businesses for large scale eradication of pests like feral pigs, dogs, goats etc. When it came time for me to choose I knew I needed something that was going to last forever and managed to get a Saiga IZ-132. Russian made, hasn't had a single failure yet, shoots the fucking shit out of everything it's pointed at.
Shit hits the fan I know my arse is covered. Pity we don't have training schools like Valor Ridge over here though. Pity we don't have a lot of things over here like you guys have over there. If I was a rich man I'd move over in a heartbeat.
I went with a ddm4 with a eotech vudu and 45 degree offset aimpoint. It was a buy once cry once and I most certainly did cry
Palmetto state does make decent firearms for cheap but I agree get the best that you can
Aw350m3 H3R0 most my palmetto builds beat the colt I have
Fahad Ayoub I been buying palmetto since they offered 4 or 5 models and quality has gone up material wise ! But quality control is a issue and a lot of times u can’t get through to them! I have switched to aero precision now due to this I still love my palmetto rifles tho and may buy a ak from them
Only about 500 rounds through my SLR 107fr and loving the 7.62x39. Nice change of paces
pace*
Reid, what do you think about purchasing a rifle vs building your own? I'd really like to build one but I need to know exactly - what exactly makes a rifle reliable? And what makes one rifle reliable while another may not be reliable? No one has ever explained this. Can you weigh in on this or perhaps make a new video to address this subject to the new gun owner and aspiring AR builder?
My Arsenal Sam7sf is a monster it has never failed me once aside from one bad tula round got stuck half way down the tube. I've shot many AR15s but my BCM stacks up right next to my Sam7 it's the best most durable and rugged rifle I've owned. I love them both and have trained on them both. Of you are an AR15 kinda guy if suggest BCM. Great reliable rifles at very affordable prices
A $560 2015 WASR or Npap will do anything an slr will do. Except have a stock that folds. Both are factory built rifles with CHF barrels and they will run. For AKs price doesn't always determine reliability. Factory built AKs with CHF barrels and $10 steel surplus mags equal reliability.
I gotta get up there and train with you, Reid. You have the right attitude brother. Great video. I'm a broke college kid and saved up to get a few good rifles, first an SKS, sold it for an AK, then built an AR. I'm a lighter guy, so saving the weight helped a lot. I think a huge factor is your body type. AK/AR can't go wrong as long as u can handle it and it doesn't handle you.
Thanks Reid I have learned a ton from your channel.......You seem to be a stand up guy and I appreciate that!
It was good to see the Springfield on the table. Heck all of em!
I don't know if this was mentioned elsewhere in the replies, but if you do your homework, you can find great values that are fairly inexpensive and great values.
Right now, WASR 10s are turning out to be awesome values. There were serious problems, but new ones are rivalling much more expensive AK clones for performance, at a much lower price. A machine gun rental range in Las Vegas reports WASRs going over 80,000 rounds, doing FA mag dumps! I picked mine up for a little over $600, and in over a thousand rounds, I've had one stoppage due to ammo, and a few mag issues due to cosmoline gunk. After I cleaned the mags out, they have been flawless!
I love how you truly keep it simple Reid, well done!
i got a socom about 6 months ago. it took the place of my AR as my go to rifle.
that clean carpet though...
Reid, I want to tell you how thrilled I am to see you doing your own thing! I look forward to traveling down to TN from Ohio to take a couple classes.
Pretty far off from being able to take one of your classes but I do want to say that I will most certainly be giving you my business. An instructor that knows our history, is thoughtful, well spoken and intelligent is very much needed in the firearms world! I certainly hope you will be giving little history lessons during the courses!
I am Glad to see you opening a facility in East TN...I have enjoyed your views on history and on firearms...such as the fact 6.8 was an answer to a non existent problem since 7.62x39 performs almost identical and is much more economical.
Excellent video worth heeding the advice. I've said the same thing as you if you won't bet your life on it it's not worth having. I bought an LMT AR-15 in 5.56 years ago never one stove pipe or FTF goes bang every time and I've run steel case all brands and brass reloads I've done myself as well as military stuff green tip and civilian produced. Iron sites, a good bright white light and sometimes I switch between a barska 1x4 scope with mil dots would prefer a lighted radical or the TRS red dot, all my mags are Pmags no particular reason just the feel in hand in the dark I know the feel of the Pmag so there's no fumbling around and cause of it's design you can get a good grip on them not to smooth not to rough.
Good data while maintaining a degree of vendor neutrality. Liked your input on price points as basic guide marks.
For the non free states the river mini 30 and mini 14 are a good option also
Got a PSA AR-15 for 469 originally 699. Got 1000 rds of fiocchi 55gr and 10 pmag 30s for 339. Got a magpul ms3 sling and a sig romeo5 on sale for 119. All free shipping. Literally the gun optic sling, 10 mags, and 1000 rounds of ammo for less than a grand. Now to buy some training!
Reid, you're a good man
Hey man your videos are awesome. Keep doing what you're doing. Because of you I'm went and took the CWP test. Got a hundred on the written and 98 on the shooting Thanks
Excellent, common sense advice on a question that many will go over the tacti-cool cliff answering. Thanks, Reid.
Great video, I live in Knoxville, TN and I really want to train we with you.
Jessi Taylor We have had several locals sign up this month. It's great to have good people nearby.
Reid Henrichs How can I sign up?
Valor Ridge's web site has all the information you will need.
Reid Henrichs Thank you I'll check it out.
Reid Heinrich in ur opinion who makes the best fighting ak
SGL31 baby! :)
I agree with the "how much is your life worth" sentiment to a degree.
That being said, in the AK world we have very reliable options in terms of longevity with beginner rifles like the WASR 10s for example.
You look at channels like AKOU where Rob Ski absolutely brutalizes all sorts of budget rifles that come out of testing still running like a dream and there are hundreds of love stories between veteran AK shooters and their beginner rifles that outlast even some of the other more top of the line competitors.
I guess my point is dont knock budget rifles just for the price. You just have to do your proper homework before purchasing them.
Good stuff, I really appreciate your no nonsense presentations! Very good! TY
I would like to see a continuation of patriot book of the month. Working through 5000 year leap right now. Thank you for what you do!
Sound advice, young warrior. Happy to see you're on your own.
Like ur style! Subscribed. Worked with some Marines in Iraq in 03. Most people have no clue Coast Guard was even there...been like that for years;)
Good advice. For the budget conscious, Bulgarian AK-74s are running around 600 bucks on line.
STALWART ADVICE on rifles.
THX Reid !!
Semper Fidelis
Nice very nice,thanks for the videos and information very helpful and informative.
Another excellent video! In my house I would grab my Winchester 1300 defender with a light attached. Outside, the AR with a light attached... Of course my favorite is the scout squad bare bones...But as you say, you gotta see what you're shooting at...
Brother love your vids, and your very humble approach. Glad to see you making them!
Bought a DPMS Oracle, Aero BCG swap, FREE JMT 3.5lb trigger, light/laser and red dot. When I pull the trigger it goes BOOM!!! Hope I hit something. PS $499 with a Rebate of $100 at Dunham's in 2016
I'm so glad you left T.R. and started doing your own thing. I abhorred having to listen to Yeager (not to start a flame war). Keep up the good work.
Valhalla14 Yeager may very well be great at what he does, I really don't know. listening to his arrogant self praising, I'm better, smarter, and faster than you babble of his is truly obnoxious.
Mine is a fostech lower, aero precision upper half,,, and Glock 19 for side arm
Good advice Ammo is what you didn't mention. You can have a very reliable rifle, and magazine and have shitty ammo and still have the equivalent of a 7 pound club. I have run across some bad tula steel that I have shot with my Saiga AK 47. Problem wasn't with the Rifle but with the primer in the ammo wasn't seated properly from the manufacture
Great video Reid, favorite channel on UA-cam! Thanks for great content!
Great video, I got my ruger ar 556 for 575. Saved almost 200 dollars
Me too, Ruger is good
Excellent info Reid! best advice is getting that training and knowing your weapon and how to use it. thx 4 sharing, Lisa
Ok, I know that some will rag on me for not getting a detachable box magazine rifle. I own an M56/ 66A1 Yugoslavian SKS with a ten round fixed magazine. I also own an M1 Garand. I am good with the SKS and have carried the M1 in the field when I used to do WW-2 reenacting. The only trouble I have is finding the .30-06 in Garand Safe loads. None of the sporting goods departments or gun stores near me carry American Eagle .30-06 Springfield Garand or even remanufactured M2 Ball.
you can buy ammo from cmp,some of it is on 8round garand clips. or you can start reloading
Simple, unbiased, great video.
Great vidio. Not saying a rifle is not a good home defense choice because they are but its just not my first choice. But for me when It came to buying my first rifles it came down to my budget, availability of amo, and parts in a shtf scenario and because i live in the U.S.A. I chose an ar15. Its a common gun around me and its the 5.56 is a common round in my environment. Not saying every one in the USA should own an ar15 but thats just my choice.
i recommend a windham weaponry, they msrp for around a thousand but u can find them for 700 to 800 and they are the best for budget minded person
Only thing I could recommend would be a table, other than that your review is very well laid out. Such a good video my man.
+1 on the premium rifles being worth every penny. Save $200-$500-$1,000 for what? Shit food? Movies? Alcohol? Netflix? Driving I don’t need to do? You CAN afford it. Whether or not you’re willing to is another question.
Excellent video great advice straight to the point keep up the good work bro.
Good video. I liked your views on magazine numbers. I think 6-7 is the perfect amount. I always wondered why people would feel that they needed 20 or 30 magazines.
Man I like this guy.
THANKS BRO, GOOD INFORMATION. GOD BLESS !
Good advice - thanks Reid.
My two self-defense rifles are the M&P 15 Sport II and My Ruger mini-14 in 300 AAC Blackout. To me it kind of makes sense to have two rifles rather than one really expensive rifle.
Iron sights are the way to go. I would rather have a chunk of iron in front of my face if getting shot at rather than plastic. Those iron sights could actually save your face from getting shot of over a plastic sight that could get trashed if shot and maybe still hit your face
Excellent video Reid!! Your channel has really come into its own. I love that mAK 90 man!! Its not all cute and pretty but it has it where it counts and it just friggin works. No muzzle device. It has actually been used *GASP* I save my pennies for RDs stuff too lol.
I wanted to give a thumbs up for each rifle he was pulling out LOL
Solid advice!
Just picked up a DD m4 v11 pro yes, I got an acog for it ,( iron sights too. ) a red dot, and a 4×12 too. Thanks. Hope you get to teach me a couple things some day.
Awesome video, Reid!
Great video.
I am what you would call a poor mans prepper. Have been that way since the late 90's. I guess before prepping became "cool".
That being said. I have a Norinco SKS. I got it for $200. Have put thousands of rounds through it and it fires every time I pull the trigger. Trust me. I would love to get an $800-1000 rifle. But my wife won't let me ;-) Do you have any opinions on the SKS?
I subscribed and look forward to more videos bud. Keep up the good work.
Amd 65 is a good rifle you can find them anywhere from 300-600
Went with PSA plus premium BCG and FN barrel.