Kalashnikov Rifle Gunfighting DVD & book - Review First off, videos and books do not replace quality hands on training. But if one is on a limited budget or don't have the time to attend a course, then they can be quite beneficial and are certainly better than nothing at all.
I recently purchased the “Kalashnikov Rifle Gunfighting” book and DVD by Suarez International. Knowing many members here have some variant of the AK, I thought I would give a review. I’ll start with my review of the DVD, followed by the book and then give my personal thoughts on the material within.
I purchased the DVD for $50 from their gear store One Source Tactical (
http://www.onesourcetactical.com/ind...odID=1162&HS=1 ), shipping time was less than a week. The overall production quality is really good and total run time is 120 minutes. The Chapter topics are:
Introduction – Video intro and discusses the back ground of the rifle.
Ammo & Magazines – Talks briefly about com-bloc calibers and mag types.
Ak Control system – Talks about what the controls are and how they are operated.
Stocks for the AK – Shows a few different types of eastern European stocks that are out there.
AK conditions of readiness – Discusses different methods of readiness in regards to storage.
Loading and unloading – Chamber checks and how to load and unload.
Gun Safety – Talks about their ideals on proper gun safety which some will find quite controversial.
Use of the sling – Use of the two point sling and the reasons for choosing it.
Zeroing the AK – Self explanatory.
AK optics – A brief look at a few optics for the AK.
Assembly and disassembly – Field stripping the weapon.
Ready & Carry positions – Discusses various ready and carry positions, when they are used and why, and how to go from carry to ready or fighting.
Snap Shooting – Discusses trigger reset and quickly firing a shot after/upon shouldering the rifle.
Close Quarters Shooting – Discusses different sighting methods and tactics for CQB type situations and bore to sight off set.
Ambidextrous use of the AK – Discusses the how and why of running the gun from either shoulder with either hand.
Rifle in movement – Discusses using the AK on the move.
Reloading – Discusses reloading the rifle and transition to the pistol when necessary.
After action assessment – Just what the title says. Explains what to do after you have dropped your adversary.
Reactive manipulations – Transitioning to the pistol.
CQB displacement - discusses bore offset for shooting at close range.
Firing w/ the stock folded – briefly discusses one method of how to shoot a folding stock AK with the stock folded .
Using cover – How to properly use cover and common mistakes that people make.
Taking corners – how to negotiate corners.
Weapon retention – What to do when some grabs your rifle.
AK as an impact weapon – various strikes and strike combinations the rifle(most any rifle really) can easily be used for.
Shooting at intermediate distances – A how to use the AK to shoot at longer distances. Going prone with the rifle
Closing – Closing statements and thanks.
The Kalashnikov Rifle Gunfighting DVD is a very worth while investment for AK owners in my personal opinion. Things I really liked about it compared to other training videos I’ve used in the past:
1. Gabe tells it like it is and doesn’t seem to care if others think it is to un-PC.
2. The section on using the rifle as an impact weapon which can easily carry over to knives, clubs, etc.
3. The sections discussing movement, transitions, shoulder transfers, weapon manipulations, weapon retention and CQB.
4. The absolute simplicity of everything.
Things I’m not to sure about, is their use/employment methods of the two point sling. I’m going to try it out and use it through their course I’m attending in June but I have a few reservations about it. I think a single point sling with a fast-tex type buckle could work just as well, without having to worry about the sling getting caught up things. If you are entering a CQB environment, then you could detach the rifle from the sling so that it won’t hinder you when employing the rifle as an impact weapon or for weapon retention struggles.
