“If you are new to the AR platform, be sure to figure out the main purpose of your rifle.  If you want to kit out your rifle with the sole intent of looking sexy in the mirror, then load it up.  If you don’t want to waste money, and get the best shooting experience out of your rifle, then consider the following:

Start with optics.  Do you plan to run anything other than irons?  If so, mount the best quality optic you can afford.  If you use an optic (magnified or non-magnified), plan on mounting a backup sighting system…..such as offset irons.  Next, will this be a work or home defense gun?  If yes, you better throw a light on the rail.  There’s a million different options out there but be sure to pick one that meets your needs without taking up unnecessary real estate on your gun.  Also, will you be mounting a sling?  If you’re going to use the rifle, at all, you definitely want a way to hang it off your torso.

I would consider anything beyond these accessories as extra. Spend some time behind your rifle and work on the basics.  From there, you can figure out what else you might want (vertical grips, different stock……..).  If it’s loaded down heavy to start, you’ll probably end up stripping stuff off the more you train with it.  Spending money on ammo is much more valuable than unused accessories.”

– Jason Gady

“Considering getting into an AR9?  Here’s some things to consider:

1) A PCC can broaden the scope of your training.  There are many ranges that don’t allow rifles but will allow handgun cartridges.  A PCC also allows you to train on steel much closer than you would with a traditional 5.56 or variant.

2) A shoulder-fired 9mm is a great rifle the whole family can enjoy.  There’s virtually no recoil and they’re much quieter than a traditional AR (even unsuppressed).

3) They’re relatively cheap to run.

4) PCC’s make great home-defense options.  Not saying there’s anything wrong with a 5.56 for home defense.  Just consider your environment, shot ranges, and round performance of possible misses (5.56 compared to 9mm through drywall, studs, and other building materials).  Noise may be another consideration.  If you run suppressed then either platform is no problem, however open muzzle indoors?  The 9mm is less likely to deafen someone.

5) They do not run as dirty.  Since a PCC is a blowback system, you won’t get the same carbon buildup as with a direct gas rifle.

6) There’s nothing more fun about shooting a 9mm from your shoulder.”

• – Jason Gady

“This advice has less to do with the rifle and more to do with the operator.  Don’t forget the importance of breaking a sweat and elevating your heartrate every now and again.  You may be able to run your rifle like a demon on a static range, but if you have perpetual meat sweats and get winded after a flight of stairs, then don’t expect your shooting abilities to hold up when the time counts.  PT doesn’t have to be fancy and you don’t need to spend a fortune.  Start with an old duffel bag and fill it with enough sand to make it taxing to pick up off the ground.  Now take that bag and carry it for a distance.  Pick it up off the ground, load it to your shoulder, set it back down and repeat.  Take it a step further and heave it overhead for reps.  Search Youtube and you will find hundreds of movements to perform with just a simple sand-filled bag.  Bring it to the range and incorporate with live-fire drills…..that’s the pinnacle of fun.  Being in shape will do nothing but improve your shooting abilities.”

-Jason Gady

“Whether you plan to compete or not, incorporating a time into your training can have a huge impact.  The first and most obvious benefit to using a timer is establishing your limits and a way to measure success.  The focus of any good training program should be steady, measurable, consistent results.  Start with the basics.  Hold your rifle at the low ready, lift and fire 1 round on an index card at 25 yards for time.  From there, add multiple targets for time. T hen incorporate reloads in between targets and movement.  You can design just about any timed drill you want.  Just be sure to log your training and focus on relevant drills that allow you to improve.  Another way a timer helps your training is by initiating a stress response and time compression.  You’d be surprised how quickly your skills can turn to crap when that stupid beeper goes off.  Just talk to a shooter who’s spent any amount of time competing and I’m sure they have stories of blacking out and abandoning stage plans all because of a little beep.  The more you induce stressors in your training, the more inoculated you become.  This allows you to better access your skills when it counts.”

-Jason Gady

“Learning how to operate your rifle doesn’t need to be a costly nor a time consuming endeavor.  Live-fire range time is important. But if you do not have a surplus of time or reasonable access to a range, you can train about 75% of what you need in your own home.  Throw some dots/tape marks up on wall and get moving.  You can work on stance, grip, movement and transitions with only limited space.  Reloads are always time well spent and be sure to work both bolt lock and sustained reloads.  Working on multiple targets and learning how to drive your gun to see/acquire multiple targets are skills that needs constant attention.  So if you happen to have 10 extra minutes in your day, grab your rifle and a couple empty mags and go do work.”

-Jason Gady

“If you’re new to an AR platform, here’s the best advice I can give when it comes to cleaning and lube: Run your bolts wet.  You obviously want to keep it clean.  Should you clean after every range session?  Yes.  Is it the end of the world if you don’t?  No.   A well-built rifle like the TYPE-A’s can take abuse and run dirty.  They just perform better, and last longer, the more you clean them.  In order to keep them cycling with all sort of different ammo requires good lubrication. The areas to focus on are the bolt and carrier.  As you’re reassembling, give the bolt a healthy dose of lube as well as the carrier.  Not to the point of dripping off, but just shy of.  Understand the less viscous the lube, the quicker it will burn off and dry out. Using something a little thicker will last longer in your gun.  I’ve known guys who used motor oil. These guns aren’t picky as long as you keep them wet.”

-Jason Gady

 

“If you’re running a rifle with an adjustable gas block, consider the following process for finding your sweet spot. First, close the gas port almost all the way. This means bottoming out the gas port screw and then backing off ¼ turn. Then insert a 1-round mag and fire. If the round doesn’t eject, open the gas port screw another ¼ turn and repeat. Continue this procedure until the casing ejects and the bolt locks back on the empty mag. Once you get good ejection and bolt lock open, open the gas port screw one more ¼ turn. This is your minimum setting for reliable function. Beyond this, you’ll want to group tune the rifle. Your barrel will group differently based on gas setting. If you’re selected ammo is performing good at your minimum setting, then great. If not, then try firing 3 round groups in ¼ turn increments up to 1 whole turn. You should find some improvement in this range.”

    -Jason Gady