ZULU6
Registered
I am a police officer, a street cop. Like diving, mine is an equipment dependant profession (guns, radios, flashlights, computers, handcuffs and other restraints, bullet proof vests, and lots of other stuff). Also like diving, I don’t have to use my equipment to save my life in an emergency every time I go to work. But every once in a while I do and when that happens, I want the stuff to work. I also know, as many of you do, that all equipment will likely fail at some time or another. Flashlights burn out, break, or run out of power, guns fail to function for a variety of reasons and can be taken from you, and even individual bullets are not 100% reliable every single time the trigger is pulled. Murphy’s law prevails. Take it from someone who has met Murphy in person.
What does this have to do with anything? Well I have found that some of the most common arguments against using a pony bottle are also the worst. Telling me that if I use a pony bottle “its a sign of poor gas management or poor buddy skills.” That’s like saying the smaller backup pistol on my ankle and the spare ammo on my belt is a sign of poor ammunition management, poor weapon retention abilities, and poor partner skills. Hell I can always get more ammo or another gun from my partner in an OOA (out of ammo emergency) right? Maybe my spare flashlight is a sign of poor battery management.
Some of you actually suggest brushing up on your skills and forget the backup equipment. After all the pony creates more problems you didn’t have before doesn’t it? Sort of like the problem of pulling my pant leg up to get to the backup gun. I didn’t have that pant leg problem before right?
“So go doubles.” Yeah that would be ok, like carrying two full size .40 caliber Glocks on my belt or two of those powerful long black flashlights cops carry in case one goes out. Effective, but not always ideal.
I have found some really good arguments for carrying fully identical, redundant systems, like doubles, but this poor gas management and buddy skills logic is flawed. I’m going to continue to carry that smaller backup gun just like I’m going to keep packing my 19cf pony. As for the naysayers, tell Murphy I said hi.
What does this have to do with anything? Well I have found that some of the most common arguments against using a pony bottle are also the worst. Telling me that if I use a pony bottle “its a sign of poor gas management or poor buddy skills.” That’s like saying the smaller backup pistol on my ankle and the spare ammo on my belt is a sign of poor ammunition management, poor weapon retention abilities, and poor partner skills. Hell I can always get more ammo or another gun from my partner in an OOA (out of ammo emergency) right? Maybe my spare flashlight is a sign of poor battery management.
Some of you actually suggest brushing up on your skills and forget the backup equipment. After all the pony creates more problems you didn’t have before doesn’t it? Sort of like the problem of pulling my pant leg up to get to the backup gun. I didn’t have that pant leg problem before right?
“So go doubles.” Yeah that would be ok, like carrying two full size .40 caliber Glocks on my belt or two of those powerful long black flashlights cops carry in case one goes out. Effective, but not always ideal.
I have found some really good arguments for carrying fully identical, redundant systems, like doubles, but this poor gas management and buddy skills logic is flawed. I’m going to continue to carry that smaller backup gun just like I’m going to keep packing my 19cf pony. As for the naysayers, tell Murphy I said hi.
) when you could strapup .44s on both hips, or invest in firepower ala the M-249 which occupies both hands without introducing the bend-over and hike up your pant leg to quick draw on somebody when kaka has hit ze fan to the point you no longer have your primary weapon and are relying on said equipment to halt the forces attempting to end your life.
