Retro rifle setups rock, 3 reasons why they are making a comeback 

Years ago, I was stopped by a State Cop on Rt. 2 in central MA - while he was running my plate, I noticed he had a sniper badge on his tunic. I'm a shooter, and I asked him what rifle he's use if he were sniping. He announced proudly 'I have a pre-64 Winchester 70!' - to which I replied - 'I've always been a K98 kind of guy.' We argued for about 10 minutes until he got another call - he turned to me, said "I have to go - BUT YOU'RE WRONG' and left. Got out of a ticket lol.

Impressive how you managed to shoot a little movie without shooting a cinematographer and a director.

Somehow people forgot that Stoner designed the "carry handle" to also serve as both a rear sight and an optics mount. That's why it was the right height to start with.

- "The more things change, the more they stay the same" - General Shepard

The opening intros are better than anything out of Hollywood in a looong time. Plus the firearm safety is better than an Alec Baldwin film.

Don’t let anyone tell you that larping in full kit with your friends isn’t cool after this

Whenever we had an IG inspection we would have to get our rifles and take all of our tape/modifications off and clean them until they looked like they just came out of the crate. After the inspection we would take a day to refit and zero. It was some of the dumbest shot known to man.

Apart from the impeccable Travis impression, I love that we, as Americans, can watch a movie, admire a firearm, think about it, research it, build it, or buy it. 💪🏼🇺🇸

The production value of the intros bro, got a whole ass helicopter this time

Retro rifles are making a comeback for a few reasons: 1. Sometimes to go forward in skill, you have to go backwards in technology. Learning how to use A2 sights is a great skill, since they can be used to determine range, properly lead a target, and dial in bullet drop. 2. Lighter rifles are more mobile rifles. 3. They are cool.

I had to laugh at this one, when I was in we used the old standard M-16A1 in Basic and once I got to my unit I was issued a brand new M16-A2 with the 203 mounted on it, and thought that was like the coolest thing, until I was issued the old “grenadiers vest” that held like 40 203 rounds so now in addition to the full kit Alice pack that I had to hump along with a PRC 77 and spare batteries being a Fister I was blessed with like another 30 pounds of 203 rounds and the extra couple pounds the 203 itself weighed, at the time I only weighed like 155 pounds and had to carry pretty close to that in gear, it suddenly wasn’t too cool anymore 😂😂, it bought a whole new level of suck to 20-25 k rucks…..

Technology is getting to be too much. I want a retro 20 inch for a couple reasons. 1. The older I get the more I am getting into the historical side of things. An m16a2 Vietnam era rifle would be awesome as a wall hanger and a shooter. 2. The unbelievable price of these optics and "tactical" gear for an ar15 are out of hand. 3. If you can't shoot with irons, you don't deserve optics.

Two actors, live ammo…and nobody died. Amazing.

Charles, call the sheriff. Those two guys are larping in the back field again.

Mr Thumb, Mike, Flannel Daddy... Your Dad advice this episode was so wholesome. My work/ family balance has been weighing on me heavily lately, and this gives me a nudge to change some lifestyle decisions. Kentucky put a thumb in his neck, but you, good sir, just put a thumb in my heart.

Solid, professional, every American man should have this training and knowledge. The flag patch rocks.

If you’ve ever held off on watching a garandthumb video until you went to the bathroom, go ahead and hit that like button!

The A2 with M203 is i think the best looking assault rifle ever made. Just has that 90's-00's Marine feel to it.

They are coming back for the same reason 90's sport cars are going up in value. Boys growing from that era are now grown adults and still want the toys they could not afford then.

The Ron Jeremy subplot gets more and more advanced. There will be historians centuries from now trying to piece it all together.

It's not even about guns anymore with Garand Thumb, I truly enjoy him as an actor. The Son of Travis truly has talent. Someone in Hollywood please give him a shot. Ron Jeremy has to be part of the deal, too.

Let’s not forget the fact that the A2 M203 hand guard absolutely screams, “Say hello to my little friend!” Retro rifles have definitely made a comeback. I love the soft shooting rifle length system combined with the (surprisingly accurate at range) classic iron sight picture of the carry handle/fixed fsp pinned to a 20” barrel. Of course, shorty’s are super compact, easily maneuverable and have the uncanny ability to immediately turn keyboard commandos into operators. I’ve been a fan of the CAR-15 since I first saw Val Kilmer’s in Heat(which also was my introduction to the FAL). My mom let me rent it (upon it’s original release to VHS) when I was 13 and well on my way to to gun nerd. Blood Diamond was great and I absolutely the love the Danny Archer setup. Your content is always brilliantly comedic, educational and informative but for me, this video had the added bonus of nostalgia. Doc GT, you are a man among men and I salute you.

Honestly, I was trained on an old carry handle M16 in the Marine Corps, that’s what I used so I just feel familiar with a carry handle AR. I feel they are more robust and from experience a retro rifle does better under heavy use IMO. Great video guys. Remember… The only school is OLD SCHOOL! 🤡

Hey, there kids, a few note from an old guy. 1) the 550 cord on the front sight will melt 2) there was a "Jungle sling kit" in the system had a wire hanger for the front sight tower 3) when you use the canteen strap you cut off the hooks and put a 550 loop through the sling end 4) M203 side sling mounts were put on a lot of the CARs in my day 5) where is your LBE? The chest rig thing is 2000's thing. Good job guys!

“There is nothing wrong with running an older weapon” is american for “rifle is fine”. I love my AKM, I love retro M16/4’s from 80’s and 90’s action films, it’s just fucking cool.

I'm a younger guy (26) and just built my first retro rifle it's a A1/A2 hybrid dissipator using del-ton's true dissipator barrel, A2 carry handle upper and I have fallen in love with the carry handle and just the old school vibes it gives off I've always preferred the looks of the M16A1 and finally decided to spend the money to build my own version thanks to this video and Garand Thumbs M16A1 videos.

The two biggest advancements ARs have made over the years is their triggers and gas blocks. With adjustable drop in triggers that are as good or better than you can get in high-end bolt action rifles. Plus the prevalence of easily adjustable gas blocks which allows a rifle to easily run any ammunition you want without problems & makes shooting surpressed reliable.

Simplicity of "just make it F-ing reliable" will outlive everything.

Nobody cried about the inadequacy of 556, until everyone started carrying short barrels.

Garand never ceases to amaze me. His production levels are a cut above. I don't think people realize the amount of time and effort that goes into a 30 minute clip. Kudos Mr. Thumb

The helo pilot is a buddy of mine worked with him- Good people.

To quote General Shepherd, “the more things change, the more they stay the same.”

"That one guy with a Colt and Alice gear who smokes you." You're talking about Paul Harrell aren't you Mike? We should all be so wise as to fear that man.

Cool thing about a 20” barrel is the increase in velocity. Really making the most of that bullet. Where it gets interesting is when you start playing with twist and grain. I just switched out a 16” 556 barrel on one of my older builds for a 20” 223 wylde. So far it’s been a fun gun, way more accurate at long distance but the weight took alittle getting used to.

It's my absolute dream to do something like you did with the helicopter insert, retro style M-16 with 203 grenade launcher but, as I've said before, I live in boring old England. Love you lads, love the content, love the channel........ Great work lads!!🇬🇧🇺🇲✌️

Travis must be proud to have his 2 older sons showing off there flat range skills

Dude, don’t ever stop being you. Those intros never cease to entertain.

I miss my m16 A2 w/203 So bad. I just feel like nothing can beat that look.

When I did my compulsory military service (in Russia), most of the guys in my platoon ditched their sights pretty much the second they got them. To be fair, our logistics were bad, so many of the sights we got were often low on battery or broken in some way when we got them. I was a Vehicle crewman for a BTR-90 for context.

This is the most impressive cinematography I’ve ever seen in a RU-vid video… great job! 🤝

Few months ago, I remember goin to my local Sportsman's Warehouse and hearing a bunch of people gasp and guffaw pointing and taking your picture while hiding behind aisles with their cell phones. Having no idea who tf you were, I asked you why everybody was freaking out. You replied saying you had a RU-vid channel and I asked what the name of it was and when you said "Garand Thumb" I had the most clueless look on my face cuz I thought you said "Grand Thumb". You humbly explained and encouraged me to check it out and gave me some advice on Glock stuff point being, this guy's cool as shit IRL and I've been watching your vids for a while and just now remembered I met you lol

the classic rifle revival is proof of the old adage; "If it aint broke, dont fix it"

Awesome work guys. I really dig the retro guns from my era. I'm 59 years old Army vet. I have "guccied" out some newer ARs but still keep coming back to the older guns. He'll my favorite is my M1A. Cheers. RLTW

If you are gonna use a canteen strap, just bend a piece of cardboard and jam it in the hook, then tape that thing down. Been using mine like that for almost 2 years, and it has bent very slightly since i have done that, but im confident it isnt going to break anytime soon

The most appealing aspect of these early to mid 90's builds is that they were a product of a time of huge innovation. As you alluded to, the industry has experimented with many subtle changes to what was being run then, but for the most part haven't found a solution that is objectively better. What these guys came up with on their own has stayed the test of time and continue to prove that they are among the most optimal setups.

"The more things change, the more they stay the same" ~General Shepard/Garand Thumb

Excellent video. Love the older style rifles, and I've found their owners to be solid as well. Watched a GenX shooter massacre the range with his new M1A tanker two weeks ago, while two Gucci-gunners with Honey Badgers and a Valmet just stood there agog. Training is definitely the X factor. Cool breakdown; thanks.

I cannot express how much truth is behind your dad advice in this video. Hit me right in the feels, never let your busy life and work get in the way of you being able to spend time with your kiddos. Cannot express how often we may find ourselves doing that.

Retro guns making a comback: 1. Veterans want nostalgia 2. "Original Gansta look" is always badass 3. Because as Americans we can like whatever the fuck we want so just go with it

An easy explanation: At the end of the day, I am just a kid who was raised on 80s and 90s action movies. "Retro" rifles are my childhood.

That intro had everything 80s: the rifles, the hip fire, the endless mag dumps, the roid rage, the lack of cover... I legit wish you'd do a feature length film in this style. Not even from an ironic angle like Kung Fury, but totally serious.

One of my all-time favorite movie guns is Billie's Masterkey equipped M16 in Predator. I remember seeing it as a kid and always thought a underslung shotgun on an assault rifle looked BADASS!!! And I have to say, i can't pinpoint why but I love the sight on GT's rifle.

Probably because of the KISS rule, simple things are oft more relaible. Retro rifles aside can we appreciate that the M81 Woodland is still one of the best camo's around?

"These guys in the 80's just dropping bodies with a carry handle." "Yeah they did a great job..." Shit just writes it's self.

My dad passed down his colt sp1 he bought new back in 1981, and ive got a brownells retro carry handle scope and a bayonet lug adapter on it so i can put a bayonet on it, and man does it look cool

I had an A2 the whole time I was in the Army, some of the time with a 203. We started getting in some M4s while I was in, and swapped out our M-60’s for 249s, but I never had either. I finished my A2 clone not long ago. The first patrol rifles my post-Army department issued were A1’s on loan from the National Guard. I’ve cleared a lot of buildings with a 20” rifle. I don’t understand this idea that if your barrel is longer than 10” you have a musket that’s useless unless you’re in a wide open field.

"Don't forget about your family" is the most Friday afternoon commander safety brief shit I've ever heard.

Finally, a low budget action flick where they remember to open the dust covers so CGI brass doesn't come flying out of nowhere! These aren't even airsoft guns like many low budget flicks use... two thumbs up. ;)

production value alone deserves a RU-vid home page highlight far and wide

Late but I see you at 0:51. trying to hide that fucking grin as the heli dips out.

Can we give props to Micah (The Cam Op), Admin, and Mike for sticking out in the rain to finish the video? That could easily deter people from continuing the video but it didn't phase them.

There's a certain romance about simplicity. Modern and tactical are wonderful but it's nice to have a moment of appreciation for rifles like the M16A1.

Love'em! Have an M16A1, M16A2, and an M4 clone. Not a fan of the musket, heavy, quad-rail M16A4 I was issued in Iraq. But,...I may make one anyway. The light weight of the A1 is fantastic, but the rear sight of the A2 is a bit better. As you said, training is way more important than gadgets.

As always and amazing video 👏. Also love the fact you threw in addressing the importance of family focus. I hope we are never in a situation where the skills you demonstrate are needed, but the ones we love will depend on them if it comes to it. Stay safe, stay fit.

I like how you point out training over gear. I was a range official in a precision.22 course and the guy that won had a bolt action savage that he had shot so much he wore the bluing off the bolt handle. He out shot guys with $2000 + guns. Shooting Remington golden bucket o bullets. It was very impressive to watch

You take some guy with a Colt 733 and ALICE gear who just smokes you… Paul Harrell has entered the chat. “You be the judge.”

15:30 I have watch this movie multiple time just for the CAR15 build + the HK USP scenes haha

Love the tropical sounds on the prairie..Thanks

The “Retro” rifles comeback is likely due to those of us that started OEF/OIF with the A2/M9, and are now retiring. Gotta have the old cammies and guns next to the digitals and M4s in the SHTF footlocker.

The no reload detail during the whole scene is the icing on the cake . 👌

Awesome job - you guys are spot on that family is everything.

At least 10 years ago (before Keymod and M-Lok), I bought a Daniel Defense handguard. It has a retro-ish look to it, and this convinced me to roll with it, adding Picatinny mounted handle and front sight.

“In case the the bad guys have NODS” “Yea, especially these days…clears throat” 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

13:20 The Haley impression is fucking golden

I had a SP1 for a while and I absolutely loved that rifle. Retro is awesome. Hard to go wrong with a 20in a1

About a year ago I re-activated a bone stock A2 M4 type Bushmaster that I've had for like 25 years. I love it all over again. Just an old Acog on a fixed carry handle. Beautiful...

I love how admin said "man-eurisms" when describing his Haley impression, really nails the chaotic vibe of it!

When you shot Macaulay Culkin threw the head with the Grenada launcher I literally lost it 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣

Your content is so good and the dry humor... I've never signed up for Patreon but I did for you. Thank you for the videos 🤙

At the end great advice really hits the nail on the head on life in general you have to dedicate time to your family

Back in the day, "cold war era", we relied on the good old FN-FAL to save our butts. They still make them, and they still deserve full respect as an excellent battle rifle.

There was almost enough hipfire in the opening to be a solid remake of an 80's film.

Ok soooooo.... this is without a doubt the coolest and most cinematic intro video I've ever seen!!!! Amazing work!

The Tom Jane Punisher made me fall in love with the retro look of the M-16 A2 with the m203 attached and iron sights.

"Telltale shimmer?...no, he just looks like a piece of shit" I can't

The fact that you can drop down from a chopper with a rifle attached to m203 as a civilian, just shows how awesome the US is🙏. Much Love from Papua New Guinea❤

Wow. That was great advise, very much needed. Thank you

Hell, yeah!!! Funny that this should pop up in my feed today. I am about to finish a retro Dissipator, with A1 upper and true rifle length gas system.

21:22 - Brandon's a very generous dude, giving 16,000 sets of NVGs right over to the Taliban.

Admin's Travis Haley impression is fucking hilariously accurate. LMFAOOOO.

Great video man, I loved you guys going over the retro guns!

Thanks for the Dad advice at the end of the video! Really inspiring, especially for us “young and dead dad club” members!

“Especially now days.” Best quote of 2021.

I hope one day that all of the TF-69 and TF-4/20 vignettes are stitched together to make a cohesive film. Absolutely brilliant story telling from you guys.

That intro was so much fun to watch. You guys are awesome.

Thumbs up on production quality, acting, and directing. Very entertaining.

Wow the editing on this one is top notch, almost thought Admin was a real person.

If Deadpool and Cable were real, they would be Admin and Mike. This chemistry is …… natural.

Additionally, the guys who watched the movies of the 80s and 90s as kids, who heard the stories from operators of those time periods, are now well established in life, and have the money to spend on the cool stuff they always wanted. The more you know 💫

I'm just excited to see the short films these guys make. Straight gold.