Over at npr.org (of all places), Ben Brody offers The (Almost) Definitive Guide to U.S. Military Lingo. We learn the definition of “geardo,” which rhymes with “weirdo.” It’s a soldier who spends an inordinate amount of their personal money to buy fancy military gear, such as weapon lights, GPS watches, custom rucksacks, etc. Generally refers to a soldier with little tactical need for such equipment.” So are you now or have you ever been a geardo? And if so, do you/did you enjoy drinking the tacticoolaid? [h/t SS]
Very stupid behavior. If I ended up hanging around friends like this, I’d rather be alone. More to the point, If I had freinds like that, I wouldn’t even want them to know about my guns for chances are that if somebody doesn’t get killed, people like this might steal them and they’d end up being used in a crime later on. Then again, the owner in this situation doesn’t have any common sense, so thios kind of end result could be expected.
I’m a college student, I don’t have the funds to be a geardo even if I wanted to.
Honestly this have never been a real problem for me as I am more of a “meat and potatoes” kind of guy. I just need a good basic, solid setup for my weapon system at hand and have not found this to be costly. But, of course, YMMV…
Proudly I can say no,
Nope
Former geardo. After tacticooling my first pistol and shooting my subsequent ones about the same level of accuracy with practice I decided fancy do dad’s need no home with me unless they actually serve an extra purpose from basic equipment (or are a great deal around the same price of basic equipment).
The training I’ve done with genuinely “real deal” former SF guys has reinforced the concept: the right tool for the right job, nothing more and nothing less.
Collecting all the cool toys and gadgets is fun, but ….
In the real world, the real operators put their focus on mastering their weapon platform, they stick with it and regard it as a means to an end, not an end in itself.
Makes a lot of sense for operators.
Let’s not exclude mall ninjas though. Im One of the guys who got into guns from playing call of duty kind of games. I have my serious ccw and defensive tools which are all about business.
But I also have a lot of FUN playing around with attachments. Because guns. It’s not necessary, it’s nota serious attempt to be tactical or improve anything. It’s just to make thinks look bad ass
I have a dream of putting multiple vertical foregrips on the various rails of my AR. Stretch goal is multiple optics at different offsets. If i’m not careful, i’ll turn it into a multi-thousand dollar physical incarnation of an Onion article. But when does it stop being satire?
He who fights with mall ninjas should look to it that he himself does not become a mall ninja. And when you gaze long into tacticool the tacticool also gazes into you.
Obviously we don’t have the whole story (I mean do we ever?), but that is some seriously heavy hypocrisy. It boggles the mind.
I don’t buy a bunch of the accessories, but I do buy a lot of cool guns, so what? I also spend a ton on my track car, does that make me a poser?
I figure every man needs a hobby and if a guy wants to spend a ton of his money on shit he will never use at 100% its capability so what? My tires cost $2000 a set and last 6 weeks but I admit I don’t leverage even 90% of their capabilities.
I’m a 1911 guy, & love me a leather shoulder holster or some other mess that goes with that. But the tier alpha ninja thing hasn’t had appeal since I got outta high school.
You’re just a geardo from another decade 🙂
http://www.imfdb.org/images/thumb/d/df/MV-BRE10-10.jpg/600px-MV-BRE10-10.jpg
i just want to throw it out there that based on the article i just read you can definetely conclude that some peopkle just say what they want based on an opinion and what someone else has told or even showed them. the problems with the saiga shotguns all stem from the same problem……gas ports! i guarantee if your saiga is not functioning properly that you need to drill out the correct number/size of the gas ports and your problems will be fixed. example: saiga 12-4 gas ports. saiga 410-3 gas ports. saiga 20 guage-2 gas ports…..examine your gas ports and make sure they are completely drilled out then come back and dog the saiga!
No. I put rubber grips on my model 10. I have an uncle mike’s pocket holster for my j frame. I have nylon holsters for my model 10 and Mak. I don’t even own a mag pouch.
Oh yeah, almost forgot my Sigma. Nylon holster for it too. No lasers, weapons lights, no surefires. About as gadgety as I get in my gerber multi tool that lives in my range box. Which is a cheap plastic walmart tool box.
Other than 5.11s (they are really comfortable) definitely No. I spend too much just trying to find “the right” holster, an endeavor in which I know I am not alone. And being a minimalist by nature, I have no interest in all that crap.
If only someone had a gun to shoot that school shooter! He believe’s he is praying on the unarmed. Methinks he’s right.
And we’re STILL waiting for some proof or at least some evidence to show that more gun laws will prevent these “moments of silence”.
I have TLR-3 night lights on my house shotgun and my nightstand gun in case I get scared of the dark, but that’s it for me. No camo clothing or tactical vests or anything.
LONG LIVE GECKO45!!!
How’s duct-taping that level 4 plate to the back of your head working out?
The tape hurt my ears ’til I put level III plates on the sides and top, and made a sorta-helmet-thing out of it.
Yup.
I have night sights on any gun I might shoot at night.
I have a gen 3 night vision scope for my AR for hunting yodel dogs.
I don’t have mag pouches for a couple of guns that have mags. I don’t have holsters for a couple of pistols.
Yet.
Incrimental, my dear. I got a gun, hoping I would never need to use it in self-defense. I got the chest harness holding 4 banana clips, hoping I would never need to use it in defense of the town.
Perhaps NYPD should issue, to the officers, all those Marlins they’ve been confiscating. It couldn’t hurt their marksmanship.
Now I understand that the Po Po are going to start suing the people that have sued them (and won) for brutality and they are encouraged by the police union.
If anyone knows more about this situation developing would like to know more
Proud to read all the positive comments from 2A supporters here!
When they come for your guns give them the bullets first!
My gearheadedness was something I had to learn (and acknowledge) about myself over time.
In my early thirties I spent hundreds and hundreds of dollars before I figured out that I liked gathering all the different, shiny gear waaaay more than I liked actually rock climbing.
No, I prefer to spend my extra money (when I have it) on ammo. When I go to the range with my friends they laugh because my AR doesn’t have a single rail and I carry my extra mags in a WWII satchel bag my grandfather left me (I figure if he could carry it throughout the Pacific, it should work for what I’ll need it for).
For me there is the practical world and the gaming world. My SHTF carbine is barebones: EOTech, BUIS, extended charging handle – done. No quad rails, no free float, no vertical grip, no espresso maker. My game carbine – oh, Lord. MTAC, free float, BAD lever, muzzle brake, and on and on. Same is true for other gear. Real world – simple slings and holsters. Game world – ‘load 2’ chest rigs, coupled AR mags, 48 rnd extensions, etc.
Since more than 5 bullets per magazine (load_revolvers) are “NECESSARY TO A FREE STATE” 2nd amendment to the United States Constitution (__ ANY __ enemy would have more then 5) IT IS __ CLEARLY __ AN ILLEGAL LAW.
NO ONE SHOULD FOLLOW THE ORDER __ UNTIL __ A COURT MAKES A RULING.
No. I recognize the need for things like holsters, mag pouches, and vests, especially if you own any sort of defensive rifle/pistol or are into shooting sports that revolve around those things.
On the other hand, I don’t own a single Magpul product (AK guy), don’t own any 5.11-esque clothing, and don’t see any need to use the tactical jargon or lingo in every single conversation with another gun owner.
I don’t get guys that dress every single day like they’re a PSC in the Middle East.
I had a brief moment where I was straying into that territory unintentionally. I walked into the Seattle passport office last February to apply for a lost passport. I’m 29. I had a thick beard, a buzz-cut, a cupped-brim OD green baseball cap pulled down tight, a pretty nice cobalt blue Columbia jacket, boots and jeans. Just normal stuff that I wear when it’s cold out. The first thing the passport office security guys asked me when I asked them what part of the office to go to, was if I was going to be traveling on military orders. I sort of chuckled a little and realized what I looked like at the moment. The only thing I was missing was the keffiyeh.
I once met up to do a trade with a guy who was not military, but our brief 15-minute meeting was a non-stop wall of tacticool acronyms and catch phrases. I felt like I had just sat through a tactical lecture session with Travis Haley an hour after he downed a bottle of No-Doz. I never want to be that guy.
And a funny little story: a few years back I was in my LGS, and a young guy walked in with an AR that he wanted to trade in. He showed it to the counter guy, and it was just littered with accessories. Everybody in the store just stopped dead in their tracks when the kid flipped a switch on the rifle, and the whole full-length handguard lit up with flashing blue LEDs. He seemed to think this was some sort of selling point. Never seen any thing like that before or since.
I’ve got a drop leg holster (holds an M9 better than the holster on our survival vest which looks like it was designed for a 1911) and a Suunto watch.
Does that make me geartarded?
This guy does suits and casual attire that looks normal. Expensive. http://miguelcaballero.com/en/
I heard that Clinton jogged in a shirt made by Second Chance, but I was pretty sure the burgers would kill him first.
There are neighborhoods where I used to hang where a nice suit would make you a prime target. That said, if I could afford that suit, I’d be living in a neighborhood where I didn’t need one.
Can’t spell “Liberals” without L I A R S.
Being a poor college student at present, my default answer is “no.”
If I had the money to burn, yes, yes I would be. This is because so long as I can afford it I shouldn’t have to choose, and dat’s cuz ‘dis is ‘MURICA! 😛
so yet again the NRA shoots it’s members in the foot..
notice, I have not joined and wont..
capitulation a step at a time is just as bad as not trying to stop them at all
I could be, if I had the money-
fortunately I learned my lesson on a couple things-
testing things out one at a time, as below, that were a waste of time,
until I realized KISS applies,
and $$$ spent in basics, then training first, including getting in better shape, is a far better investment than gear.
1. cheap truglo red-dot in a saddle mount for 870- that lasted about 10 shots, before breaking inside.
2. knoxx stock recoil reducing tacticool thingy that slapped the crap out of my face, and basically did nothing on recoil- which isnt that big a deal anyway on a .12ga for a big guy.
3. Crimson Tace laser that didnt work for squat and got in the way of point shooting and basics for the pistol.
4. Eotac semi-tacticool vest that looks stupid and “shoot me first” and when compared to a basic Columbia fisherman/photog vest, doesnt do any more.
5. Danner USMC desert boots that didnt hold up as well as basic Timberland hunters boots.
6. Couple of tactical dvds that were a waste of time.
Couple hours of one-on-one with a good trainer for each of pistol, rifle, and shotgun saved me thousands in ammo and hundreds of hours, correcting and avoiding bad habits I picked up on my own.
Thanks to some good advice here from senior hunters, smiths, and LEO/MIL, I have been able to restrain myself from doing more harm to the pocket book. Also got some really good advice from a couple trainers- highly recommend you seek someone out with experience, and long practice working with newbies, if you are one, like me.
By the looks of it, a 16″ BBL is a pretty solid choice across the board for .308. Handy!
Some friends and I were on a fishing trip. We were sitting around the fire talking about my new boat and what it needed.
One fella talked about wives and how when they get a new dress, they HAVE to get matching shoes, purse, belt, earrings, necklace, etc…
They call that stuff “accessories”.
So we made up a new word that night. After I needed fish-on rod holders, a fish finder, stereo, live-well, nets, more rods, and other tackle. Those things are called
“Necessaries”.
So an optic, mags, drag bag, reloading equipment, reloading room, work bench, tools, beer tap, cigar humidor…. Well, my friends, these things are “necessaries”.
I bought one if these a year ago, it it kicks azz over my Taylor 1866 in .357. It kicks harder, if FAR more accurate, and is adjustable unlike the Taylor. The Taylor looks nice, and it kicks like a baby .22, but if you want to stop a big buck, good luck with that Taylor. You had better put that away and grab your 464 with a 30-30 round.
One thing on liberalism, but it isn’t per se liberalism that leads to police abuses. It is because of liberals that we have a lot of the protections built into the system that we do. For example, Miranda Warning. That wasn’t originally part of the process and police railed when they were required to start having to read people their rights before questioning them.
Usually, it is conservatives who are more comfortable giving the police the authority to be “tougher on crime.” For example, Stop-and-Frisk. Liberals unfortunately are bad though when it comes to gun rights.
Every once in a while I see a peace of kit that really gives me an itch, but then I think to myself, “what are you going to look like hauling that around?” In most cases I realize that the equipment is gong to make me too conspicuous and, therefore, blow my OPSEC; so I don’t bite.
I try to run as low a “tactical-footprint” (a term I just made up) as possible to try and blend and to look like your average, every day, Joe about the business district. Rather than thinking a particular peace of gear is going to save my life, I favor the school of thought that my brain and my body are what are most likely to win the day. Therefore, I tend to focus on the essentials, get very familiar with them, stay in shape, stay discrete, and stay aware of my surroundings.
So I guess I can be a bit of a geardo, as long as the gear is stealthy, which, as demonstrated by the photo above, isn’t often.
The most devastating strike is the one you never see coming, and you tend to see mots geardos coming from a mile away. They look like big ‘ole round hay bales with all their Multicam draped over their bellys. 😉
Rule #1: if you do not immediately know an item’s purpose, you don’t need it.
Rule #2: just because it has jack bauers face on it doesn’t mean he carries it.
Rule #3: if you remove the lime green zombie biohazard symbol, would you still want it?
Yes, I am a geardo stemming from being a gun geek and in the Army but I have to be a bit more discerning to avoid going broke.
Reauthorization Yes. Expansion No. And if Chuckie Schumer pushes to hard for expansion, we won’t get either.
If the only bill facing the Senate expands the Act, it is likely to fail in the Senate and certainly will fail in the House. That will leave the Republicans with the high ground — they voted to extend the Act — and the Democrats looking like fools when it expires.
Geardo, no. Gearhead, yes. When I was going through my car phase.
I only buy that crap if it’s gluton free….
FWIW…the guy in the photo with the “thigh” rig is wearing it too low. Typical Geardo error.
Dear Mayor,
I live near Riverside (127/BW). I own 2 ARs and 2 Glocks. I have no intention of complying to your order. I have every right to defend my family. Come and get it!
“Unless, of course, the D.A. is taking the novel legal position that NYPD incompetence is so widespread and predictable that it has become an entirely foreseeable response to any 911 call.”
NAILED IT!
The only issue I’ve had with the ISRA is that there is a tendency of theirs to think that Illinois ends at the border of Cook county.
Some states have laws against wearing “body armor”. Wouldn’t this violate those laws?
Those Open Carry guys have to be around here somewhere!
To make room in the budget for the new MRAP, Johnson county was forced to make tough decisions with the rest of their vehicle lineup.
Super
Wops
Armed
Taxi
In regards to Mr. Dong, recent media reports are that his AR was noticed by someone when he opened the door of his car. He was not parading around the parking lot. Which by the was not on school grounds. However, his legal problems will stem from the fact that his guns were loaded with more than 10 rounds in the magazines he was carrying. He also apparently also bought the AR out of state after the April 4th, 2013 Connecticut cut off to legally buy one. It seems that the AR was manufactured after that date and the magazines for it(which were in plain view in the car) were loaded with around 30 rounds each.
According to his friends, he was concerned about school shootings and carried for that reason. He was taking an exam at the time the lockdown was announced and left the class at that time to return to his car and was detained en route to the car.
In CT. You can only transport an AR in CT if you are en route to a range, going to school is not a legally recognized place to bring your AR.
Piccione maledetto!
when I got my 1st shotgun I went straight to shotgunworld’s photo galleries and began my unfortunate obsession with accessorizing my weapon with the fancy doodads. good thing my Benelli M3T (yep the folding stock version) was incredibly hard to find stuff compatible to it. everybody I envied at the time had some Mossy or 870 that looked like the latest and greatest magpul creation. don’t get me started on that art of tactical shotgun dvd…
somehow I bought into the vibe that if I didn’t have a laser, light, red-dot, diagonal grip, shell carrier, and whatnot, my shotgun sucked.
3 years later, I’ve grown up a bit and settled for a velcro shell carrier and a maglite LED and sling. I no longer wanna slap a rail on it. dammit, I really wanted a rail on that seven pound weapon.
if it had rails to begin with, guess I’d be super broke by now.
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