The media used to love stories like “Man Bites Dog.” You know, stories that have a twist – role reversal, irony-enriched content, that sort of thing. And you’d think that with all the posturing of the ATF, the Brady Bunch, the bluster of Bloomberg and the like, that a story that shows a gun dealer to be a responsible citizen would be “newsworthy.” And you’d be wrong. Nope. In today’s media, the Meme trumps the Truth. Proof that global warming is NOT “settled science”? Blasphemy. Conclusive evidence that you can’t spend your way out of debt? Sacrilege. And a concrete example whereby a gun dealer helps foil another mass-murder tragedy? Who’d be interested in reading about that? Check out this story from our buddies over at the National Shooting Sports Foundation:
In the olden days, the tourniquet got a bit of a bad name. Medics used the phrase “save a life, lose a limb,” which translates to “this thing will save my patient, but their limb is gonna go.” This mindset has led to the tourniquet being a weapon of last resort in the fight against exsanguination, but new research shows that tourniquets are far more useful than you think.
Even if you’re the safest shooter in the world, the possibility exists for an accident on the range. One malfunction or inattentive shooter and suddenly the day goes from a relaxed fun event to a race for your life. If that negligent discharge hits your head, neck or torso, the combination of a tampon, a pressure dressing, and diesel therapy (driving really fast) is about the only option available. If that round hits an extremity, however, the options are a lot better.
In the old mindset, a tourniquet was the option of last resort. As soon as that thing goes on it’s a fight against time to get into the operating room or else the patient is going to fit right in at the next pirate’s convention. New research based on experiences in the military has provided some insightful statistics about the use of tourniquets in real life situations and has changed the minds of my medical director enough to move them up in our algorithm. So what are the numbers?
When a tourniquet is used in the pre-hospital setting:
87% of patients with a tourniquet applied (in the study) survived
96% survival rate if applied before shock
4% survival rate if applied after shock presents
0.4% of patients underwent “limb shortening” (amputation), usually unassociated with the tourniquet
Permanent nerve damage in 1.5% of patients. (Temporary in 98%)
From the numbers, it looks like (A) tourniquets are not a guarantee for amputation or nerve damage as previously thought, and (B) the survival rate when a tourniquet is applied is much higher when applied quickly. Hypovolaemic shock can set in very rapidly when a patient is leaking, and once it sets in it’s almost impossible to reverse.
The moral of the story seems to be that tourniquets need to be applied faster in the field, and are safe to use without fear of amputation or nerve death in the future. The fear is still there, but not as overwhelming as it used to be.
What does this have to do with guns? As shooters, the possibility of being injured is always present. One of the first articles I wrote for this site was about making an emergency medical kit for yourself, and while I discussed tourniquets I placed them pretty low on the list. Armed with this new information it seems that tourniquets should be more important than they have been in the past.
Further testing has shown that tourniquets are more effective when the band of material is 2 inches wide, rather than the shoestring size footprint of the standard EMS cravat. The increased importance of the tourniquet coupled with the need for a larger surface area created a demand in the military and EMS fields for a solution that’s easy to apply and effective against appendage wounds.
That’s where the Combat Application Tourniquet (CAT) comes into play. The CAT was designed to be applied quickly either by the injured person themselves or another rescuer, as well as provide that even 2 inch band of pressure required to properly cut off circulation. The company making the CAT has a couple videos showing how to apply the CAT on their website, and it looks pretty damned easy.
OK, so now we know that tourniquets are extremely effective in stopping bleeding and preserving life, they’re relatively safe to use, and have a low probability of causing amputations or nerve damage. So what’s the procedure?
According to the new protocols handed down from Medical Control on high, my indications for using a tourniquet on an extremity other than the head are (bold indicate the ones you’ll probably see):
Amputation or traumatic extremity injury with extensive bleeding
Unable to control bleeding with pressure dressing
Significant bleeding with the need for other interventions (CPR, etc)
Bleeding from multiple locations
Impaled / foreign body with bleeding
Under fire / dangerous situations
Total darkness
Mass casualty event
Basically, if the thing is bleeding a lot slap a tourniquet on it. Our Medical Control made a point to not dictate what “extensive bleeding” actually means, instead leaving up to the individual rescuer to determine. So use your judgement.
What’s the procedure for properly applying a tourniquet?
Visualize the wound. Tear off the patient’s clothes if need be, but actually get a look at the wound. This is important for figuring out the proper placement of the tourniquet.
Apply tourniquet 2-3 inches proximal to the wound. You want the tourniquet to cut off circulation to as little as possible of the limb. Increase the pressure until you can no longer feel a pulse in the extremity.
Mark the patient with “TK: [Time Applied].” Even though tourniquets are safer than once believed, there still is a ticking clock element the second the tourniquet goes on. Note the time and write either on the tourniquet itself or the patient’s forehead “TK,” which is the abbreviation for tourniquet, and then the time it was applied.
Add tourniquets, not pressure. If the bleeding doesn’t stop with the application of the first tourniquet apply a second. See the picture above, on the right? That soldier has two tourniquets on his leg. The medic didn’t simply tighten down the first one, as that would not work as well as adding another. Surface area is more important than pressure, it turns out.
One last pearl of wisdom: avoid using a tourniquet on the knee. There’s a structure in the knee through which the blood vessels pass and it is incompressible. Apply the tourniquet above the knee when required.
Remember, tourniquets are not always the best solution. Little cuts and bleeds are still probably better served by a pressure dressing and some gauze. But if you’re bleeding heavily and help is still a few minutes away, a tourniquet can be your best friend.
You can’t put anything over on the cops in Western Australia. They heard about the Norway massacre. They read that Breivik shot at a local gun range (gasp). So using unassailable logic and their years of crime fighting experience, they came up with a foolproof strategy to make sure nothing like that happens on their watch. They’re going to harass gun owners at the 231 registered gun clubs throughout WA…
The ACR’s designers didn’t exactly start with a blank piece of paper, but they addressed many of the AR-15’s platform’s perceived flaws. The ACR (which stands for Adaptive Combat Rifle, a modular assault rifle designed by Magpul Industries of Austin, Texas, and known initially as the Magpul Masada) sports ambidextrous controls. It’s rid of the buffer tube. It moves away from direct impingement. It offers a consistent cheek weld. The end result: A reliable, low-maintenance rifle with sensible fire controls. And yet all is not entirely well in Bushmaster’s world. Let’s go straight to the range. . .
Even though the ACR’s boasts a polymer receiver, the rifle weighs in at a beefy eight pounds, without ammo. The lower receiver consists of an integral pistol grip, trigger well and magazine well. Adding forward grips and optics adds another pound. Initially, the rifle’s “extra” weight is no big deal.
After zeroing the Bushmaster ACR at 25 yards, I shot four controlled pairs from low ready. The ACR’s recoil was no more onerous than that of a well-sorted AR-15. Holding and guiding the Bushmaster ACR via the MOE handguard was as easy and comfortable as shooting a well-loved 1911. Even with the stock Magpul BUIS, my hits gathered at center mass. Once I started repeating longer strings of five rounds, fatigue set in; my groups spread out faster than kids at an Easter egg hunt.
Firing off of the bench rest, my hits were touching each other. At 100 yards from the bench, hits were good enough within 2 MOA with the EXPS-2. While I tested 55-grain and 77-grain ammo at 100 yards without any problems, Bushmaster’s 1-in-9 twist barrel made me hesitant about accuracy at greater distances.
The Bushmaster ACR’s single-stage trigger isn’t bad for a stock unit; the break’s iceberg crisp at around eight pounds (as measured by my finger). There’s an initial bit of grittiness as the trigger takes up pressure. Once the hammer drops, that’s the end of the ¼-inch of length-of-pull distance. An audible click announces reset — without ear protection. With ears (‘natch), you have to rely on feel on your trigger finger, of which there isn’t much.
The Bushmaster ACR’s fire controls make a lot of sense. If you hold the grip and extending your index finger forward, your fingertip sits above the bolt catch. By angling you index finger upwards you can reach the ACR’s magazine release.
Loading a new magazine and releasing the bolt using two hands feels faster than it does with an AR-15. The fact that one part of this motion happens out of view (on the other side of the rifle) is initially disconcerting. I’m not sure if the system’s an improvement. On an AR, a shooter’s support hand’s thumb normally reached the bolt catch by the time the magazine is fully seated. FWIW, the ACR’s set-up makes support-hand operations consistent with strong-hand operations.
The ACR’s user manual recommends that shooters run the rifle dry. At the same time, the manual includes instructions for lubrication. I wasn’t brave enough to follow the former advice. A quick wipe down with CLP — a truncated cleaning regimen I’d never dare use for an AR-15 — and the ACR performed without a hitch. After 600 rounds, there wasn’t much to clean up. Carbon fouling on the bolt-carrier group was minimal; cleaner than any AR I’ve ever shot. I ran a bore snake through the ACR’s barrel and wiped off the bolt. Done.
Disassembling the Bushmaster ACR is simple. Push a few pins with a bullet tip or your thumb and the rifle’s handguard, barrel and stock come apart like a coke-crazed celebutard. SHTF fans note: The ACR breaks down into a pile of parts small enough to fit into a backpack. You remove the Bushmaster’s quick-change barrel by turning a permanently attached ratchet. There it is, that double-pronged thing underneath the barrel in the photograph below.
Ratchet and clank? First, the ACR’s ratchet adds weight; the rifle has enough of that already. Second, removing the barrel results in a loss of zero. Third, the ratchet handle interferes with the rail segments on the MOE handguard.
The ratchet handle runs into the MOE rail segment washer. Because of the handle’s length, the rail slot closest to the receiver is unusable. A shorter ratchet handle would have been perfectly serviceable.
The ACR’s plug-‘n-play components make the ACR is a multi-role rifle. Switching from a tacticool zombie apocalypse configuration to stock for photos was a trivial exercise. Push one pin and slide the handguard out to switch and she’s ready for her closeup.
To capitalize on the ACR’s adaptability, Bushmaster offers two different handguards (MOE/tri-rail), two different stocks (collapsible/fixed), and two different colors (black/FDE). AR platformistas will laugh — especially when they learn that ACR buyers can have any barrel length they want as long as it’s 16 inches.
The ACR’s rails enable all the usual modern sporting rifle gadgets. But not without complications. Thanks to ACR’s charging handle location, mounting wide accessories on the monolithic top rail is a real issue. For example, positioning an EOTech EXPS-2 above the magazine’s position on the rail trapped my thumb between the charging handle and the EOTech’s battery compartment. That wasn’t fun the first time. Or the second.
An alternative: Pull the charging handle towards the stock with the palm of your hand instead of gripping it with your thumb and index finger. Bonus! You no longer need your fingers to operate the charging handle.
TACR’s barrel and handguards are a disappointment. For a rifle with an MSRP cresting two Gs, I expected a 1-in-7 twist barrel. After all, the ACR’s the new fat kid on the playground. And a rifle for the civilian market doesn’t need to support a grenade launcher.
Due to the ACR’s barrel ratchet handle placement and the heat shields’ location, you can’t use the furthest back 6 o’clock rail slot on the MOE handguard. The alternative to tri-rail hand guards is significantly shorter, with a swivel slot at the front — reducing the amount of usable rail estate. For weight and length reasons, the MOE handguard is clearly the better option between the two handguards.
Magpul designed Bushmaster’s ACR. The new rifle successfully addresses [what they saw as] flaws in the AR-15 platform. Truth be told, the ACR’s ergonomic improvements don’t count for much. Buying an ACR over an AR would be like replacing your existing car with the latest model just to get Big Gulp-compatible cup holders. At the end of the day, it’s the same car with a bigger cup holder.
Worse, the ACR introduces new shortcomings. All of which can be fixed. You can have the ACR’s barrel re-profiled. You can cut down the barrel ratchet handle. Remington already makes better handguards. Unfortunately, they aren’t not available to the civilian market at this time. And all these changes cost cash money.
Here’s something I’ve learned in getting products to market: if you design something and give someone else responsibility for getting it into the customers’ hands, they will screw it up. Bushmaster’s ACR was originally designed by Magpul (as the Masada). Bushmaster now manufactures the rifle. Bottom line: ACR buyers looking for Magpul innovation end up with Bushmaster quality at HK prices.
Overall length: 37¼” with stock fully extended, 28¼” fully collapsed
Finish: Phosphate
Price: $2343
Barrel Length: 16.5″ Cold Hammer-Forged Barrel
Magazine: 30-round PMAG magazine
Safety: Ambidextrous safety
Models: ACR Basic, ACR Enhanced, ACR DMR, ACR SBR
Other: Three-sided aluminum hand guard with integral MIL-STD 1913 rail for accessory mounting, AAC Blackout flash hider, AAC 51t flash hider adapter, folding stock (and collapsing), adjustable gas piston system
RATINGS (out of five)
Accuracy: * * * *
Within 2 MOA at 100 yards. Possibly more accurate in more capable hands than mine. 1-in-9 twist rate may be troublesome at longer ranges with heavier bullets.
Ergonomics: * ** * ½
Ambidextrous designs with sensible placement of firing controls. Non-reciprocating charging handle; my support hand is thankful. Weight is a problem.
Reliability: * * * * *
Minimal maintenance requirements. One jam of epic proportions in the third magazine during my testing of the rifle. A rubber mallet was required to free the bolt in order to remove a stuck cartridge. Otherwise, flawless operation.
Customize This: * *
Anything that will fit on rails and Bushmaster handguardsand stock. Remington’s handguards are not available to the civilian market. Disappointing. Aftermarket triggers are available. Would love to get a different barrel profile.
Overall Rating: ***
Heavy. Simple to shoot. Simple to configure. Simple to maintain. Lacks the beloved customization options commonly found on the AR platform.
Nothing will destroy your life more quickly and thoroughly than a negligent discharge that takes the life of a loved one. Friendly fire? More like eternal hell. TTAG’s Irresponsible Gun Owner of the Day series continues to highlight the importance of NOT relying [exclusively] on safety devices to protect your children from their curiosity about firearms. That said, a member of our Armed Intelligentsia recently pointed out that this website needs to spend a bit more time recommending behavior and [a little] less effort reprimanding people for piss-poor safety and/or self-defense techniques. To that end, I’m republishing a comment from PATRIOT PREACHER. Double P offers a helpful hint on how to teach your children to respect guns . . .
No, this isn’t a prepper post. Sure, getting ready for a SHTF or TEOTWAWKI may make some sense, but this Dilbert cartoon makes a good point about blabbing about any of your stuff. And your gun stuff in particular. It’s one thing to yak about your heaters in on-line comment sections using a screen name. It’s another to broadcast your cache to everyone within earshot at work. That can invite attention and covetousness from the wrong types. Types you really don’t want anywhere near your home…
Somewhere Don Johnson must be smiling. Either that, or he must be calling his attorney, looking to get in some royalty action on this little number. Here’s the description of the product from the website . . .
I’ve been sickened by The Washington Post‘s coverage of the ATF’s Gunwalker scandal. Not only is the newspaper late to the party, it showed up at the wrong address. To wit: “Lost amid the understandable furor over the mistakes was the fact that Operation Fast and Furious was a response to — and not the cause of — the flow of illegal guns from the United States into Mexico, which has contributed to the drug-cartel-related deaths of some 40,000 people over the past five years.” That, journalism fans, is the Mother of All WTF Moments . . .
My parents live in the middle of ten acres of woods in a small community in central Alabama [not shown]. Since they moved there, houses have sprung up all around them as people who want to “live in the country” have migrated there from nearby cities. A few years back a developer put a “manufactured housing developemnt” (a.k.a., a trailer park) in a field across the road from them. Enter my brother and his collection of firearms . . .
Hmmm. What’s the tactical advantage of learning how to shoot something on the ground one yard from your feet when that something is made of aluminum, the surface consists of little bitty rocks and one of your nearby instructors has neither eyes nor ears (:29)? Training to drill a prone perp? Never mind. I’m down with D.O.A. Tactical’s emphasis on point shooting. Gun gurus who call sights “training aids” have it about right; in the heat of battle, most people just aim in the general direction of the threat and pull the trigger. With practice, you can do so with astounding accuracy. Whilst leaning forward on one foot? Who cares! So, should you train with a gun without sights?
Post-Norway spree-killing, independent.co.uk columnist A C Grayling [above] has a thing or two to say about gun control. As in, may I have some more please? “Guns should be the subject of worldwide outrage. Their manufacture and sale should be a human-rights abuse, on which we pour vilification and horror. They should be illegal for all but properly constituted, trained and controlled agencies of governments, provided of course that the governments in question are themselves properly constituted and controlled by democratic means in a society where the rule of law obtains.” Sounds like a job for the U.N.! No really . . .
In another of a seemingly endless string of examples of cultural abdication in Blighty, The Ministry of Silly Walks Birmingham Councillor Tim Huxtable has decided that the name of the city’s historic firearms manufacturing sector, the Gun Quarter, must be changed. For 250 years, it’s been the birthplace of the muskets that fought Napoleon, fine hand-crafted smooth bores and the Lee Enfield rifle. Among others. But now it might as well be the quarter that shall not be named. It’s good to know, though, that the decision has nothing to do with political correctness…
