May 2019 Q&A 

The Q&As still remain one of my favorite videos every month.

I like these because a lot of times I get answers to questions I wouldn’t think to ask.

Gannon W (0:21) Why are there so many side feeding SMGs in WWII as opposed to bottom or top feed? Brandon A (3:12) In your opinion is the scar 16/17 a durable enough rifle for smaller nations to maintain and use as a standard service rifle for several decades? Jamie B (4:16) Opinions on running suppressed rifle during 2G match? Phil B (7:17) Are drop-in uppers like the BRN-180 the future of the AR? (in terms of upgrades, conversion to piston, etc) Leonard H (8:23) Why don't we see more carbon fiber in current firearms? London Jolly (10:10) Putting aside the advantages of economy of scale and looking just at the rifles themselves, is there any other platform that can stay toe-to-toe with the AR on most points, if not exceed it on some? Shervin S (13:15) What do you think of an FG-42 in an intermediate cartridge (either 7.62x39 or 5.56)? Can it be done and would there be a market for it, assuming a semi-auto only model? Steven W (15:42) Repeat question: If you were on a limited budget, are already doing consistent dryfire and manipulation practice and wanted to improve your shooting the most would you spend your budget on matches, range practice, or classes? Santaroga (19:12) repeat: "US military style" irons or sub $100 red dot optics - would you trust the optics? stuka444 (22:18) Now that Ian's book is on its way out, do you have any intentions of writing a book Karl? Nate H (23:09) What are your thoughts on side charging uppers for the AR-15? As a lefty I can't say I mind a reciprocating right side handle. Kyle C (25:02) Do you think gas seal revolvers could still have a role in today's shooting culture? I'd really like to see one chambered in, say, 44 Magnum or 10mm. Auto Brion B (26:47) How long after you the post the q and a email do you collect all the questions? Richard C (27:39) What are your thoughts about fan obsessions and memes such as Ian’s “Gun Jesus” moniker as one example? Ferrous (29:01) How do you think the Trapdoor Springfield would have stacked up on the clock compared to their European single-shot black powder counterparts (for example, the Gras)? Jacob B (31:52) What are your thoughts regarding a WWSD style firearm built around an AR57 upper? John H (33:31) Compensator on an everyday carry pistol: useful or gimmick? Chris C (34:20) Is Cordite propellant still in use in any modern military role? If so why is it still being used? Joshua K (35:13) When did the difference between a “magazine” and a “clip” become so important & entrenched given that as recently as World War II you see US Army Ordnance using the terms somewhat interchangeably in publications and film? Tim (37:09) Thumbhole stocks. Everyone I've ever asked has said that they are abhorrent, inferior in every way to a pistol grip. Yet several guns in past or current military use, such as the Accuracy International that is on Forgotten Weapons, have them. Is it truly inferior and why would a military use it if it was? Andrew C (39:12) At Desert brutality 2020 can we get a metal band to hold a concert? Keith D (40:29) For Karl. Do you recommend a specific aftermarket trigger or fire control pack for your AK's? Ed M (41:07) Not the strongest guy and 7.62 AKs bruise me up, do you have any tips in improving recoil handling? Krazzett (42:36) What's your opinions on the resurgence of PCCs in the last couple years. Do you think they have any merit over a short barreled carbine or are they just an excuse for people to own a gun that doesn't cost as much to feed and is more pleasant to shoot? SpaceCowboyfromNJ (45:18) Prior asked question: You find yourself in the year 1900, what firearm from the time period do you chose as your every day carry and why? Mihir K (46:30) (Attempt #3) While it certainly looks cool in movies and video games (i.e. John Wick, Splinter Cell), what is your opinion on the practicality of the Center Axis Relock (CAR) shooting system, and have you ever seen it used at a match? Yuriy R (48:08) Do you think we will see a mechanical system for supporting a firearm during use (like the M56 Smartgun rig from "Aliens") any time soon? eRahja (49:38) Is there any good reason to own desert eagle? Does it have some practical use? John W (N/A) I have brain cancer, and am missing part of my vision as a result; could I still participate in a 2g event? Angus A (49:46) What is the accuracy gain from a free float fore-end? In practical terms, what does it give an ar15's MOA? Gori the all powerful (54:46) It's been a while since you started the discord server. How do you feel about it after all this time? Peter Z (55:42) I've asked this previously, but is the AR-15 a DI gun or could it be considered a long stroke system? Probably Satan (57:59) Have you ever had buyers remorse after a firearm related purchase; if so, why? Connor D (1:01:00) What are your thoughts on doing a Cowboy Action 2 gun match? Bobby M (1:02:37) If you were to add a 22lr category to 2GACM how would you do the rules???

6:26 "bark" Thanks for bringing Dog in on the discussion guys, love when you have a guest give expert knowledge on the channel

Gun Lucifer and Gun Jesus having a union meeting

In regard to Center Axis Relock: Paul Castle never intended CAR to be a replacement for a stance like Isosceles or Modified Isosceles, he actively encouraged students to use their prefered stance for longer distance shooting. CAR is for extremely close quarters, where you want to keep your sidearm aimed at and fully functional without losing weapon retention, which means that the sidearm is VERY close to the body and always ready to fire on the target. The distances used in shooting competition make CAR inapplicable, impractical, and/or unsafe for the shooter and fellow competitors.

Split the difference: METAL KARAOKE!

“Revisiting WWSD” my excitement levels are going through the roof Edit: I also just realized this video is an hour long. Its so imformative that i legit stay here just listening like a school kid

I 2nd Rolling block vs trapdoor vid please!

From what I understand about Center Axis Relock if it hasn't been mentioned before; its a technique for extreme close quarters with clearing corners and minimizing muzzle exposure while maintaining weapon retention

The ULTIMATE Old West Vignette by Karl Kasarda, coming summer 2022, Headstamp Publishing Inc.

I think its likely any historically themed book authored by Karl would have a lot of value. Karl summerises events brilliantly.

46:35 Center axis relock--I think that's more geared to specific types of CQB fighting where you're clearing tight spaces, so your primary concerns are remaining behind cover, not exposing your muzzle before you can see a space, and weapon retention. Speed and accuracy are subservient to the above factors. All that's directly at odds with most match environments where there is pretty much zero emphasis placed on cover and exposing your muzzle. It's not wrong, it's just not applicable to most matches. It'd be like worrying about locking into a sling and getting good bone/muscle support for something like hoser rifle paper--it just doesn't apply in most match environments. And yeah, it looks cool too

On the PCC question i think another boring (but applicable) factor is that with the rise of pistol braces many shooters have wanted to own semi auto sub machine guns but have thought they were ridiculous with a 16” barrels (think of the Kriss vector as one of the worse examples). With braces it’s practical to now own these weapons in their originally intended barrel lengths and hence, have become far more appealing.

Karl Deckard: "Suppressors are like any other machine, they're either a benefit or a hazard. If they're a benefit, it's not my problem"

Easy solution. DB2020 will host only the finest of Polka bands.

I'd LOVE to see Ian and Carl do a video on the cheapest optics available on Amazon and find out which is acceptable/best.

I look forward to the single shot blackpowder cartridge "shootout"

“It’s elegant the magazine well becomes the ejection port” my WiFi froze on Karl making a face haha

US Marine in Irak:" I'm out, throw me a clip!" His buddy throws a 5round clip of 8mm Mauser at him "You said clip, sorry that you are dead now because you didn't say magazine."

You had me at Sabaton. Theyre not even my favorite band but so fitting!

Clip vs magazine is also an easy way to see how much the other person knows. Reading so many articles from "journalists" and how often they get the type of firearm, the ammo and so on wrong the clip vs magazine is just an easy way for me to start the evaluation of the writer.

"Language is malleable" - Yup. Also ductile and conductive.

For me, a Canadian, when it comes to optics my go to is Nikon. Because they've got good enough quality that I'm not worried that it'll lose zero when I'm out shooting, but it didn't break the bank. It's probably the best price vs quality option.

Excuse me, 32% cooler with the 7.65

Finally someone else who isnt into Sabaton!

Re: 9 mm is the new .22 lr / people plink with 9 instead of .22 -- I understand that 9 mm came down in price, but you can easily get a box of Remington or Winchester 5000 rounds of .22 lr for less than $200. That's ⅕ the price of bulk 115 gr. 9 mm Winchester.

According to Wikipedia: A modified formulation of Cordite, Cordite N developed in WW2, solved the issue of Cordite burning too hot. Cordite stopped being used around the end of the 20th century.

Center axis relock is a defensive shooting technique. Speed or accuracy aren't really the point, but as with anything, you can get very good with practice. It's really meant for these "oh shit" distances. it gets you shooting quicker from a draw AND it gives you much, much better leverage/retention than having your arms stretched way out front if someone gets their hands on your gun. It actually makes sense for John Wick, aside from looking baller. Considering the distances he tends to shoot people at in the movies, having the gun in close is a really good defense against having it taken away. You can also see him extend into a proper shooting stance when the situation permits. These movies actually got a lot of things right about gun handling.

All That Remains. Their lead singer Phil Labonte is super into guns and would probably compete.

Re: Carbon Fiber, I have a carbon bipod which really helps a lot, considering the front-end weight bipods usually bring.

I have finally thought of a purpose for gas seal revolvers: Metallic silhouette shooting, which is often done in the Creedmore position. You usually need a leather flap to cover your leg from the blast coming off the cylinder gap, a gas seal revolver would prevent this.

The nomenclature surrounding magazine vs clip reminds me a lot of looking at historical documents like the Lewis and Clark diaries and how Musket and Rifle were used interchangeably yet in modern times they have a very specific meaning

I definitely cannot speak to the real-world application of CAR with real anecdotes, but I do a lot of CQB training where we use non-guns and airsofts. I've never shot a match, but I would definitely not use CAR method where the only stress factor is a clock and there is an emphasis on "fast and accurate" with accurate being the primary concern (especially with no-shoots) and fast being incidental (slow is smooth, smooth is fast mindset). However, I will say, when you are drilling drawing a pistol, chambering, and firing on a target charging you with a training blade, or grabbing a loaded pistol with the slide locked back from the ground while two people are grappling you from behind, or multiple aggressors are approaching you, I've very often found myself instinctively relying on these kinds of positions and techniques, especially as a lifelong unarmed martial artist who is much more comfortable engaging people in a boxing stance. I would not expect to see this used at matches because there's no need to switch from an isosceles or weaver or whatever traditional shooting stance you would use to make an accurate shot if nobody is directly in your face trying to grab your gun. Also, if you notice, at least in the first John Wick, while he does make extensive use of CAR intermixed with strike and Judo when going through tight hallways, when he enters open rooms, he switches back to traditional shooting postures to make accurate, longer range shots.

Finally someone addressed the clip/mag thing. Drives me nuts. My father, Marine, designated marksman 1960's, small bore rifle NC, 1950's, he used the terms interchangeably, using "Clip" for pretty much everything, not just our M1. Thanks guys!

3,000+ rounds later and my M4 still has a low cost Bushnell Red Dot which still works fine (3 spares sitting in a box in case the first one ever fails). I totally disagree regarding the Trapdoor vs Martini Henry. I own several of both and trust me, the Martini is much faster to reload and fire again (presuming decent all brass cartridges of course vs foil ones). The lack of any reason to fiddle around with a hammer or a loading latch makes a huge difference. The Martini lever with practice is fast. It is like comparing my Sharps carbine to my Rolling Block carbine. The Sharps is noticeably faster than the Rolling Block. The Martini Henry (even faster than the Sharps too) is the fastest of the 1870s vintage single shot cartridge guns (possible exception for the needlessly complex striker fired Sharps which no country adapted).. Buyers remorse: Remington R51. LoL

The Australians had a side fed smg produced alongside the Owen.

10/10 would rock out to Sabaton after DB2020

Faxon ARAK 21 vs AR180 uppers?

Thanks for the answer! Definitely will improve my recoiling handling issues!

I'm sure you could do .22LR matches again! I hear the Zip .22 would make an excellent sidearm.

Did doggo bark at ATF agents trying to sneak around the house while inrange dose a video.

Oh and I've got such a brilliant plan for a concert after Desert Brutality. Start by getting Nightwish to preform after Finnish Brutality, and if that goes well then simply invite them to preform at Desert Brutality.

Carbon fiber can be injection molded and blended into thermoplastics. The strength of carbon fiber is in one direction so by injection molding it you loose a lot of the advantage of the carbon fiber.

Talking about different uppers, why not a advancement in the lower? Change the trigger system(Change the trigger pack), detonation mech(Why hammer instead of a striker?), Different locking systems and recoil spring changes(such as using sig/ar180/HK36 recoil springs instead of the buffer), ect.

Proposal: a clip is for delivering ammo to a gun. A magazine is for storing ammo. A modern removable magazine serves both purposes and thus both terms are applicable.

There’s the name for Karl’s book, “historical stuff you don’t know but should “ Mmmm.....Maybe needs a little work

A composite (carbon fiber) stock/body for a bullpup could be cool.

500 round box of .22lr for $8 those were the days

With your question regarding a band/concert @ 40:08, you mention problems like 'who do you get and who is going to satisfy everyone in the audience' The answers are easy, 1) take an aggregate of the average age of competitor and pick something that fits generally with that avg age and take a guess at the style 2) No, you're never going to satisfy everyone, that's a fools errand, some people live to be offended and professionally upset. Just enjoy the back ground music and spending time with people whose company you enjoy.

And FWIW, I had a ball running my Win94 and 1911, Wild Bunch style, at that 2-gun match you ran recently.

Yeah... you're not milling carbon fiber, that would be insane. It works pretty much like fiberglass in that you put a fiber substrate in what shape you want (and that gets increasingly difficult the more complex the shape is) then fill it with polymer. But since each layer of fabric is unidirectional you either weave it or just stack it and risk delamination.

It's nice to hear the opinion on the sub-$100 optics. I intend to participate in Desert Brutality 2020 (assuming it's still in Utah or still less than a 9 hour drive) and I have an RDB WITH....a $70 Sightmark reflex. I'm tentative to trust it 100%, but so far no issues.

Ah yes, a Q&A to finish up my last hour at work on a Friday afternoon. Life is good.

I'd like to see a side-fed AR-15.

don't you dare apologise for doggo, doggo improves the overall quality. :P

In regard to center axis relock, if it helped you go even a little faster, all the competition guys would be using it. The fact that they aren't probably answers that question.

Sounds like Karl's taste in music is besieged. Quick, somebody call the Holy League!

Carbon fiber is a fabric..... its layed up like fiberglass. milling Carbon is in my opinion missing the point save for certain applications made of flat plates (quad frames etc.) Carbon is expensive and difficult to work with in comparison to most alternative materials (except Aramids (kevlar)). This is why its still mostly an aerospace or racing material. I would LOVE to see a true Carbon AR receiver set, but the molding process for the lower is mind bendingly complex as iv tried to figure out how on paper at this point.

id love to see that single shot rifle comparison

"eveyones gonna want it to be Sabiton-" "except for me" oh, Karl......

They can mold Carbon fiber now into pretty complex shapes. Its still stupid expensive.

On the match vs class...it's tough. 2GACM are fun, yet total trigger time is maybe 8 mins and 150rds, for 5 hours of time? Whereas a class will get you a fair bit more. Depending on the class it could also include some of the dynamic aspects of a match. But if your weekends are frequently open you could run a lot of matches for the cost of a class. Pima Pistol Club, as an example, seems to have a couple of matches every weekend.

Carbon fiber laminates have unusual strength characteristics. It needs to be placed in its mold with each layer placed at the correct angles to create the strength properties needed. Milling complicated shapes out of a block will not create strong hard points where necessary. To make a pistol durable enough by today's standards, the carbon fiber would need to be built around an internal steel frame. Also carbon fibers have higher density than many polymers.

The dog really wanted to be heard today

Sabaton would be perfect, but in all fairness, they should follow the Chieftain around and provide his soundtrack.

everyone needs an AR15 Crossbow, medieval combat is the perfect use for a modern rifle

Carbon fiber isnt really milled. From what I understand its more like polymer in the sense that its formed, then hardened. Still very expensive.

Also, Karl dislikes Sabaton? Well GO KARL, YOU'RE 100 % GOD DAMN RIGHT. Thank you for admitting to this publicaly. There's more of us and we will not be silenced. Sabaton is terrible. _As for the proposed problem of who to invite, I hear the Navajo indians have a pretty substantial black metal scene. Having a Navajo metal band on would be a) really in theme with a match called "Desert Brutality" and b) a great way to bring attention to contemporary native culture. Not entirely sure how willing they would be to show up, but if they did, it would be quite the reconciliation event in a way..._

I think it says a lot that free float barrels first came to hunting rifles because the had wood stocks and would change dimensions depending on the weather.

The Stoner system is absolutely DI. By literal definition of the term, it is 100% DI. It is direct, on the main operating bolt carrier and bolt, and not remote, using some indirect force from a remote piston head that must transfer energy through an oprod. Yes there are carriers that also incorporate a remote gas piston and are manufactured one piece, but they can still be considered a separate component, just not a distinctly separate component. Gas expansion is a type of impingement. I do not know of a single DI gun that uses impingement in the sense of a "gas strike" definition of impingement. They ALL operate by gas expansion pistons. There's this assumption that DI is mutually exclusive from piston guns. This cannot be true as all DI guns use a textbook definition of a piston including the MAS series and AG42 types. You will even find their parts labeled as pistons on some diagrams and clearly were designed to harness the power of a piston. The end of the gas tube is flared out like a stationary piston head and use the recess in the bolt carrier as a gas expansion chamber. If you were to remove this gas expansion chamber and have the gas only strike the carrier, the gun 100% would not cycle. It requires the piston. If you want to be obtuse, every single self powered auto loading weapon uses a piston, as the bullet is a piston head, and the barrel, chamber, and case act as a gas expansion chamber. Thus the terms DI and piston should not be mutually exclusive. The idea that a DI gun does not have a sealed piston does not come from anything I know, and would only exist just to exclude the AR-15 and would also begin to exclude "true" DI guns like the AG42 types which DO have a sealed piston. I also don't know what exactly this definition entails, if the gas chamber is sealed or just the piston head has seals. The AR-15 system is not truly sealed. The gas expansion chamber may HAVE seals, but the gas key and gas tube interface does not, thus the chamber is not sealed. The AG42 has a cup that encloses around the gas tube and cups the piston head and retracts into the receiver for the bolt to actually close flush against the receiver, requiring gas to snake forwards and backwards if it breaks the physical seal in order to blow by. This is a strong gas seal, and thus both a sealed piston head and sealed piston system. I don't know if this definition is supposed to inversely apply to piston guns, but if so, many piston guns do not have gas seals on their expansion chambers/piston heads. Where the impingement is occurring on the vertical axis also has no bearing on the method of operation. Inline or not, it is still using the same method of operation just like a gas piston gun that has the piston above or below the barrel.

On the bruising: it can depend on what you define as bruising! I personally cannot even dry fire a long gun for more than a handful of times before I get visible marks on the skin of my shoulder. But they do not hurt at all, I cannot feel them (they can be amusing surprises at the end of a day at the range). So don’t get scared if it leaves a mark if it doesn’t hurt or impede you!

I truly get excited when a new Q&A appears on my feed. Probably my favorite videos.

Doggo noise had me looking around for my dog constantly, believing she was up to something

On magazine and clip, it'd be interesting to see how much people cared before the terms became politically charged

Ooh if Karl did a 19th century American history/oldwest book I’d be all over it. I’m salivating thinking about it. Aged leather bound cover with a Schofield or something on it.

That farmer's tan, nice👍😂

It's probably been said before, but I'm gonna say it anyways. I call the AR-15 a Direct Gas Impiston. Stupid, yes. Accurate, I think so.

Thank you for the great video. I liked the dog.

The TRW low maintenance rifle had the same ergonomics of the FG42, side feed with AR magazines. It was only a prototype.

You can absolutely make complex shapes and things out carbon fiber. There are some manufacturers making carbon fiber car wheels.

Why are PCC awesome? 1) 9/45 suppressors are not heavy AF and do not heat up to burn-shit-out-of-you levels so quickly versus rifle suppressors. 2) 9/45 actually suppresses to hearing safe without $1/round (.300 blackout) or heavily compromised subsonic loadings (223 subsonic) vs 147gr 9mm HP or 230gr .45 HP) 3) a 4-7” barrel does not compromise the usefulness of pistol calibers and combine that with shorter cans = much shorter OAL. 4) can shoot pistol matches and pistol steel at 10m vs 100m rifle steel. Steel targets last longer 5) usually simple blowback actions. Easy to clean and maintain 6) no need for gas settings or boosters or muzzle devices. 7) 9mm = 16 cents a round nowadays versus 25 cents for .223 (brass vs brass) 8) 3 lug attachment for pistol cans is better than many other heavy / long proprietary QD rifle suppressor mounts. 9) light weight and handiness. Usually folding stocks are the norm for PCC 10) many PCC compatible with CCW/EDC mags. 11) indoor range friendly

You can not just mill carbon fibre. The material is made of sheets with resin (glue) sandwiched between them. The fibres are directional, so it never carries forces uniformly, like a block of steel could. If you cut it up, you are liable to break/fray those fibres, losing a lot if not all of its strength. This can only make sense when the part being made carries minimal loads, or if you do tiny, securely drilled holes.

Got to experience the issues of shooting steel with .22LR today at 100 yards. Even with just two people on the range it was impossible to be consistent with calling hits. I’d say 10% of hits were called but when we inspected the target(it was in a shaded spot so we couldn’t tell until we got close) it was riddled with impact marks, and when the hits were called you could hardly even tell the target was moving.

Regarding a 5.7 AR, if your intended use (i.e. range or jurisdiction) limits you to pistol calibers only, the 5.7x28 may be classified as such while being flat shooting and having the ability to penetrate soft body armor compared to other pistol calibers. If you can't have a 5.56 AR 5.7 might be as close as you can get. In which case you may also consider a CMMG rifle in 5.7 that takes FN FiveseveN pistol mags.

I think side charging uppers have their place, mostly as a bolt action straight-pull such as you see in the UK.

Doggo is always welcome.

I think You skipped the brian cancer one.

Let me just stop my day for 66 minutes for this excellent content. Sorry productive day I was going to have. Also please get Garand Thumb out to 2 gun and explain to him why the forward assist is useless!

To Question Nr.3: I'm surprised the gas wasn't mentioned. A poorly set up rifle can be quite dangerous for the shooter. Especially if you (have to) dump some ammo real quick. So i guess you'd HAVE to take a side-charged upper if you wanted to compete for REAL. And in that case a completely dedicated build around the suppressor of choice.

How do you feel about the civilian version of the hk 416. The mr 556, any advantages over a quality ar 15 for civilian use, ie target practice. Personal defense. Is it worth the extra cost?

I dunno about PCCs having less recoil, my Sub2k seems to kick more than my AR

Yins guys are as smooth as butter. Hell of a video! thanks for taking the time out of your day to make this fellas!!

Ian thinking a lot of the music Karl listens to sounding "like a missile strike" is a phrase I'm gonna have to steal for later use.

Not sure how cheap .22lr needs to be, but I've been paying 3 cents/round for awhile. The "expensive" CCI I pay 6 cents/round. Pretty sure it's recovered now. Good talk again this month.

Talking about proper shoulder engagement while shooting an AK reminded me of a line from Tremors 2. The gun guy of the group gives his fellows double barreled rifles chambered in .375 H&H Magnum with the warning to hold them "good and tight to your shoulder or it'll break your collarbone."

From Dreyse to G36 NEEDS to happen

Gas seal revolver using the Webley Fosbery design.

I think center axis relock is not the choice for many targets in a short amount of of time. But against a couple foes in a real close up fight where you need to control the weapon and maybe block incoming strikes, its superior to isosoles.

What is center action re-lock ?