Thread: Rules For A Gunfight

I was browsing AR15.com for threads on optics when I came across these rules for a gun fight:

AR Optics: FAQ - AR15.COM

Combat Marksmanship

This isn't an expert dissertation. I'm just a joe. There is a lot of debate on what zero should be used for combat and there are pros and cons for each. I will state my opinion and should you disagree, I won't think you an idiot. I merely ask for your reasoning so we can further the discussion and your experience either shooting people or being shot at. First off, some ground rules for the discussion.

1.You will miss the enemy in combat 90%. This doesn't mean you are going to miss your target. Your target may not be the enemy. It may merely be where you THINK the enemy MAY be. And that's OK.

2.You will not see who is shooting at you 90% of the time. They will not see you 90% of the time they are shooting at you. Funny how that works.

3.Bullets that don't hit are still useful. Some misses are better than others (more on this later)

4.Your first priority in combat is to stay alive and functioning (in that order) (This is also your enemy's first priority.) The best way to do that is to kill your enemy. But that isn't the only way.

5.Stopping your enemy is done a couple different ways. 1. CNS shot. 2. Bleed out. 3. He quits. Only one of these can you count on instantly. Number 2 becomes easier the more times you shoot him. 10 holes bleed out faster than 2 holes. You can't count on #3, but this is the option that is most common. Doing options 1 and 2 on his friends helps option 3.

6.Lethal combat distances are generally within 50M. Most everything else is a battle for fire superiority to allow maneuver to the lethal distances. You can argue this, but history and my personal experience supports my opinion.

Old age and treachery beats youth and expertise every time.