Threat Dynamics/VirTra Systems Virtual Firearms Training
While in Oregon with Deliberate Dynamics last month, I had a chance to examine a state-of-the-art virtual training simulator, located in Hillsboro, Oregon at Threat Dynamics (which is unrelated to Deliberate Dynamics, by the way). I say "state of the art" because I found it to be incredibly advanced compared to the virtual simulators I used while in the military, such as FATS, or the silly compressed air "M9" and "870" weapons I used in basic training.
Manufactured by VirTra Systems, the simulators available at the Threat Dynamics facility included a 100 degree - one screen - system, and a 300 degree system, which utilized five screens and projectors. Hundreds of scenarios could be played out on either system, including responding to a school or workplace shooting, high-risk traffic stops, or simply a random encounter with bad guys in a dark place. In addition, virtual ranges can be set up - from single bullseye targets to a full duplicate of the Army's rifle qualification course. Up to four shooters can use the program at once.
Steel "poppers," green "Ivans," paper bullseyes - the system could put the shooter on any sort of range he desired. It was pretty much like being in the Matrix.
The weapons used are real and remain functional, although certain parts are changed out - the barrel of a Glock pistol, for example, or the bolt carrier of an AR-15. In other words, your own pistol or rifle could be used for this training, and they'd "shoot" laser beams instead of bullets. Magazines are supplied which have CO2 cartridges inside, providing about 100 "shots" before running out, while simulating the weight of a full magazine. To maintain realism, though, the program running the scenario can be set up to limit the number of shots that will be recognized before a magazine change is required.
Recoil was stated to be 90% of actual firearm recoil, but I found it to be somewhat less. Also, the slides/bolts don't lock to the rear. Those are my only two complaints about the system, which was simply phenomenal.
Rifles and pistols could be used by both shooters, which increased the training options available.
In the FATS system I used, video scenarios could be played through, but the "bad guys" wouldn't react when shot - the video just kept playing, and you'd find out afterwards if you scored any hits. With the VirTra setup, though, if a bad guy was hurt or killed, the program would seamlessly switch to a "death video" for him - while everything else continued on. So if you were facing three bad guys and killed two, they'd fall down while the third one kept shooting.
In addition, the shooter could yell verbal commands, and if the system operator thought they were sufficient/appropriate, he could make the bad guy comply with the command. Thus, the VirTra system is more than just shoot/no-shoot - it's a full-spectrum training simulator for deadly force scenarios.
We were smiling when we put the belts on. We weren't smiling right after they zapped us.
This brings me to my favorite part of the VirTra system - the belt. If the computer determined that a bad guy scored a hit on a human participant, a special belt would zap him or her with 5,000 volts - depending on the person, enough to make them shout in surprise while jumping around, or fall to the floor screaming and laughing. When I screwed up in an ambush scenario on the 300 degree range and was shot in the back, the zap was attention-getting.
Bad guys varied from this obese assailant to men in suits. Behavior, not appearance, was key to the shoot/no-shoot decision.
After the scenario was complete, the whole thing could be played back, and each participant's shots would show up on the screen at the appropriate times. The system was able to differentiate between the different firearms used by each shooter, leaving them with either bragging rights or shame.
Is that a handgun or a cell phone? You have only a split second to decide.
The sheer number of scenarios, and the realism with which many were filmed, makes the VirTra Systems simulators an exceptionally valuable training tool. Being able to shoot at targets appearing anywhere along a 300 degree arc is more than just icing on the cake - unlike virtually all shooting ranges, deadly force encounters do not always elapse entirely in front of the shooter.
Shot in his virtual face with the AR, this bad guy went down without getting a shot off.
Law enforcement and military personnel, as well as armed citizens who are serious about personal defense, would find that even a little time on the VirTra range would sharpen observation and decision-making skills that are as important as actual marksmanship in terms of surviving a shootout.
Even with a partner, 5 doors to cover at one time is challenging.
Beyond the real-world applications, though, the program was simply fun. A competition between friends decided by hits or misses against a bad guy or a zap from the belt? Nothing short of a blast. Threat Dynamics wasn't having any trouble filling its reservation book with requests for time from law enforcement and civilians alike, and after using both "ranges," it was easy for me to see why.
Photography Practice
I've invested a fair amount of money in some photographic equipment, and have turned a spare bedroom into a studio. That's what's been occupying a lot of my time lately. However, this will allow me to present higher quality images of whatever I'm talking about at the moment.
If this doesn't look any better than the stuff I've done before, don't tell me...I'll just go sit in the corner and cry if you do.
Thoughts on the Magpul/Bushmaster ACR
As anyone who had their finger anywhere near the pulse of the black rifle market knows, the market had become saturated with semi automatic rifles as of July or August of 2009.
The ferocious buying frenzy dried up pretty rapidly.
Meanwhile, the economy continued to get worse. People continued to lose their jobs. Those who didn't lose their jobs might still have had to deal with reduced hours or pay cuts.
All through this period, a number of people continued to hold out for the release of the Adaptive Combat Rifle (ACR), initially designed by Magpul Industries before a partnership with Bushmaster Firearms. It was reported to be a lightweight, reliable, and above all, affordable, carbine - an FN SCAR for the masses, if you will. It had been in development for years, and the release date kept getting pushed back.
Finally, though, a firm date - a release after SHOT 2010.
To say that anticipation had built up to tumultuous levels would be a drastic understatement. The years of waiting were over. The product was all but in the hands of thousands - probably tens of thousands - of fans.
Release, Sweet Release
Until the details started to roll out.
Rate of twist - 1 in 9. "An innovative coating for long life" - not chrome lining.
Weight - over 8 pounds unloaded. Initial claims were in the 6 and a half pound range.
Models - "Basic" and "Enhanced". The Basic model does not have a folding stock or a railed forend. The Enhanced model does, but...
Price - MSRP is $2685 for the Basic and $3061 for the Enhanced. While many could put up with all of the above, this proved to be a deal breaker for many, who had planned on spending no more than $1500, perhaps $1800, based on figures released by Magpul and/or Bushmaster.
Many chose to take their frustration out on Magpul. It had been claimed by both Magpul and Bushmaster that the two companies were "partnered" on the project. Several forum posts by Magpul higher-ups scoffed at - or insulted - claims of high MSRPs or other issues by various posters (I was not among them). This has not helped their cause in light of the above information.
However, I feel that anger with Magpul is essentially unwarranted. In my opinion, Magpul made one major mistake - partnering with Bushmaster. When that was announced in early 2008, I lost all interest in the project. I was skeptical of Bushmaster's ability to deliver the right product at the right price. Anyone who was interested in the ACR should have vented their frustrations with Magpul at that point.
Problems/Explanations/Opinions
Note: the following is almost entirely speculation. It's entirely possible that I'm wrong about everything you read from this point on.
It now appears that Bushmaster had led Magpul to believe that they had a much larger role in the project than they actually did. The Magpul folks are pretty savvy when it comes to PR - just look at their website. They wouldn't respond the way they did to pre-release criticism unless they really believed what they were saying. Bushmaster may have been treating them like a mushroom. Oh, and Bushmaster probably smiled and nodded whenever Magpul may or may not have had input on the project.
As of early 2009, a Remington ACR prototype exhibited signs of overgassing at an industry shoot (Which causes me to ask the question - if it didn't run right in 2009, how was it running in 2007 or 2008, when Bushmaster took over the project? After all, the anticipation for the rifle was built almost entirely on hype, not concrete knowledge that the design was ready for production as of Q4 2007). I am entirely certain that those problems have been fixed prior to the release of the weapon - however, one way to fix that problem is to increase the weight of the reciprocating assembly. Many people malign the AR-15's buffer tube without understanding the vital role that it plays in the operation of the weapon. Without that buffer assembly, a heavier bolt or carrier or other associated parts may be required for perfect function in all conditions.
One forumite jokingly suggested the excessive use of tungsten as an explanation for the ACR's relatively massive weight gain. He may not be far from the truth. The weapon has what is for all intents and purposes a government profile barrel, light weight under the handguards, which is what most AR-15 carbines have - yet those carbines weigh just over 6 pounds in stock configuration. In addition, the ACR makes use of several polymer parts that should reduce their weight compared to the aluminum parts used in an AR-15.
This leaves the bolt and carrier assembly as a likely source for the weight gain, especially when one considers the issues that the ACR exhibited. Nearly 2 additional pounds means that there is a serious chunk of metal somewhere in the rifle.
And that's not even the (heavier) model with the folding stock and the railed forend, which has a $3061 MSRP.
To be fair, products rarely sell at or above their MSRP for very long, unless there is a lot of demand. We'll see just how much demand remains for the ACR in a few months, but even a $2400/$2700 street price would place the rifle solidly at or above FN SCAR territory. Furthermore, the ~$2450 SCAR comes standard with a railed forend and a folding stock. Moving down in price, we see offerings from LWRC between $1800 and $2400, the KAC SR15E3 for $1800-$2200, and the Robinson Arms XCR for $1600-$1800. Every single one of those rifles is significantly lighter and offers more features than the ACR Basic model. In addition, every one - with the possible exception of the XCR - comes from a company with a lot of well-earned "street cred" in military, police, or civilian circles (or all of the above).
I won't bother discussing the barrel for very long, but suffice it to say that a 1/9 M4 profile barrel that the manufacturer refuses to divulge finish specifications for is not going to inspire confidence or a long line of willing buyers. The only remotely (but not completely) rational explanation I've heard for buying a 1/9 barrel is the use of 36-40gr varmint bullets. Does Bushmaster think that varmint shooters will line up to buy an 8 1/2 pound piston operated carbine with what is essentially (for accuracy purposes) a lightweight barrel - for $2500-$3000?
Apparently they do.
Upcoming tests/reviews…
I haven't posted anything in over a week, as I've been pretty busy. However, I've stayed on top of certain things. In the next few weeks I'll be doing .30 caliber AP projectiles vs. multi-hit Level IV plates - in accordance with NIJ test standards, or as much as I can realistically comply with them.
Testing - Cammenga magazine testing, and more AR-15 dirt testing, including starting with the bolt locked to the rear.
Gear - a "war belt" write up, and a more extensive review of an ALICE-frame compatible pack, made by the quality gear maker HSGI, that I've been using for quite a while.
I'll also be talking about some interesting wildcat cartridges for the AR-15 platform, including a .30-caliber wildcat that uses standard 5.56 magazines, bolts, and brass, while exceeding the supersonic performance of .300 Whisper. For someone looking to stretch their AR-15's performance on a budget, especially for hunting or self-defense purposes, this may be just the ticket.