I'm somewhat of a Weapons Fanatic...and have been a member of a Gun/Hunting Club since I was but a young'un.
Incidentally the Club serviced one of the main townships next to a large Army Base in the area...so its membership comprised of numerous current or
ex-Mil as well as avid Restricted-Class Firearms Collectors...also did a number of Weapons Training Courses with Restricted Class Firearms...and so
got to see (and use) a wide variety of weaponary. From old 'black-powder' Cav Revolvers to Desert Eagles *which just LOOKING at them are enough to
make you wet yourself
*. Old WW weaponary to old Brens, Lewis Guns and BARs. More modern firearms like Striker 12s, C9 Minimis, Styers, AKs, 16s,
CAR-15s, MPs...a daaaaaamn nice Galil MAR (Micro-Galil). Snipers like the Druganov...as well as cranking a few rounds through an awe inspiring .50
Iver Johnson.
Personal Fav of those would be the Druganov, or the Iver Johnson *as I'm more partial to single long-range shots coming from a Deer/Pig Hunting
background*...though neither of those two would be allowable for Game Hunting. Besides...peg a boar with the .50 Iver Johnson and you'd likely gut
it, skin it, de-bone and steak it all in one hit...hahaha
. Though I also took a liking to the Galil MAR:
Wouldn't be overly effective long-range, as it tended to kick around a fair bit with the recoil coupled with the short barrel...but my gawd can it
spew rounds and hose down an area for a small Assault Rifle. As a CQUC/Entry Weapon it'd be incredible
But...I'm actually even more partial to the more simplistic method of taking something sharp or heavy and getting up close and personal...a pic of my
precious:
*just ignore the blood still on the blade*
I've also training with, and continue to train with various Oriental Weaponary such as the Kama, Sai, Tonfa and the Katana. As well as training *and
training others* in the usage of the traditional weapons of my own people, the NZ Maori:
...the Taiaha...fighting spear...approx the height of the person *or slightly larger* so mine is 6 1/2 feet long. Can be used similar to Kendo, but
also as a 'semi-bladed' weapon at one end and stabbing weapon at the other, as well as a striking/choking/parrying weapon. Devasting weapon in the
hands of someone who knows what they have doing. For instance I spar with an experienced Asian friend who uses a Kendo Bo and well as a Katana...and
the Taiaha has proven more than a match against both many times.
...also trained with, and train others in:
The Tewhatewha...which is approx 4.5-5 feet long...and can be used in pairs much like Balintawak.
The Patu...and Mere...fighting Clubs. Used for striking, also slightly 'bladed' at the edges for dislocating limbs and for cracking
'skull-caps'.
Peace,
ALIEN