After Action Report
A.C.T.S Match
Theme: Red Dawn
Date: November 19, 2011
Location: Pima Pistol Club
This month’s match was based on events found in the movie Red Dawn. Red Dawns premise is the invasion of the United States by Soviet, Nicaraguan and Cuban forces and the resistance of a small group of high school students in Colorado. For more information on the movie see the Red Dawn movie review found here: http://gunwebsites.net/2011/04/07/red-dawn-movie-review/
The match consisted of 4 stages all based around events from the film. To adhere to the scenario, all Soviet designed rifles/carbines would have unlimited ammunition due to resupply while all other rifles would be subject to ammunition restrictions. Pistols were unlimited ammunition. In addition, all firearms would start in condition 3 to mock the tell tale “racking” sound found throughout the film. All paper targets would also require a minimum of three hits instead of the standard two.
Stage 1: The Chair is Against the Wall.
Official Description:
Stage 1 took three scenes from the film and combined them into a very fun stage. The spider hole marked one of the first planned engagements in the film as well as the destruction of the tank. It also simulated the ambush of the firing squad set to execute civilians.
The spider hole was by far the best part of this stage. I mean, who doesn’t want to pop out of a hole and shoot commies while yelling WOLVERINES!? For this part I did game a little bit by dropping my safety and running the bolt prior to emerging from the box. Upon emerging I shot the closest target first followed by next closest then engaged the furthest with between 3 and 5 shots each. I then engaged the safety on my AK and grounded it in the provided tube facing the right berm.
Placing the Molotov (water bottle) was next. (The stage description did call for a satchel as well, but this was omitted on match day.) I grabbed the liter water bottle by the tube, and took off stepping over the two tables that formed the box. Nevertheless, I placed the bottle on a stand next to the simulated tank and hurried back to my rifle. It took 3 me shots to hit the bottle with the first two being high. Upon detonation, I took off to position 2.
Position 2 was a simulated roof top made from right triangle shaped box covered in shingles. After running up about half way, I planted on my side to make use my elbow and shoot from a more natural position. In front of me were four no-shoot targets representing the civilians and 6 commies about 30 yards away. I quickly acquired my sights and started plugging away at the targets. No sooner than i had engaged the third target, my rifle ran dry and i had to reload. From my second magazine, i was able to fire 5 shots before a malfunction occurred. The bolt stuck in the rear position and I had to force it into battery. Once fixed, I dispatched the remaining targets and completed the stage.
Stage 2: Geneva Convention? Never Heard of It…
Official Description:
Stage 2 was based on a pivotal part of the movie. Spetsnaz commandos suddenly locate the group via a transmitter and after ambushing them and gaining control of the tracking device, the group finds out there is a traitor amongst them who is in turn executed.
This stage was very straight forward. Starting prone in the windowed barricade, once the buzzer sounded I quickly made work of the 2 targets in front of me with 4 shots each followed by 2 shots to hit the 1/3rd IPSC sized plate at 40 yards. Upon completion, i backed out of the barricade (many went forward through the window, but I’ve always seen that in my mind as breaking cover (IE. not what i would chose to do in a real scenario).
Once cleared from the barricade, I high tailed it to the 3 barrels to then engage two more targets and the steel. I ended up putting another 4 to 5 shots in each followed by 3 shots to hit steel. From there I was off to the center barricade.
Upon reaching it I made work of the 3 remaining paper targets. After engaging number two though, the same malfunction of rearward bolt lock occured and I was forced to slam it into battery. This would cost me as I forgot to shoot target 3 more than twice. Now it was time to discover the traitor.
Upon clearing the malfunction, I changed magazines and looked over the barricade and identified the B target as being the traitor. Every part of me wanted to just run up and dump a magazine in the target for dramatic effect but the RO forbid it. Instead I put 7 rounds in it and called it a day. Stage 2 was complete.
Stage 3: Grab Some Toilet Paper
Official Description:
Stage 3 was based on the initial escape scene. This involved the group going to the gas station to grab supplies and then escaping a road block. After getting through the road block, the radiator overheats and one of the kids has to piss in it to cool the engine. This stage also covered the first encounter with the enemy that sparked the resistance movement. While monitoring the road, the group spots a vehicle coming up the mountain. The Russians then discover a member of the group and are engaged by first an arrow then fire from below the embankment. The engagement ends with the execution of a Russian trying to make a distress call on the radio in the vehicle.
I went into this stage overly confident with the bow. I had shot archery for years but never doing finger release. When the buzzer sounded, i quickly knocked the arrow but then jerked my shot over the target due to my fingers catching upon release. There went 10 seconds on my time.
After seeing my miss, I placed the bow back on the table and retrieved my Glock 19. Immediately forgetting it was in condition 3, I looked around the barricade and felt nothing when i touched the trigger. Ducking back behind the wall I ran the slide then commenced firing. I drove 4 to 5 shots in the first 2 targets, then looked left to the target in the doorway about 20 yards away. I fired 2 shots at it then grounded my pistol and entered the structure via the window to my left.
Once inside, I retrieved the backpack and loaded the roll of toilet paper, box of .308 ammunition and a football. I threw the backpack back out the window and exited. once outside, I shouldered the backpack on my right side and retrieved my pistol. Pushing forward I drove 2 more rounds into the exposed target in the doorway before looking right into another doorway. Inside was one target and I put 3 rounds into it. After dispatching the lone commie, I moved to the second doorway on the right. One mistake though was inadvertently moving too far out from the door and exposing myself to another target in the far room. I then shifted forward and drove 2 rounds into the single target in that room. My weapon then ran dry and I performed a speed reload while shifting right out of the targets line of sight. Upon completion, I shifted back and drove 3 more rounds into that target. After that i moved back to my left and cleared the final room with 4-5 shots into the remaining 2 targets. Stage 3 was complete.
Stage 4: Save Your B-HIND
Official Description:
Stage 4 was based on a scene in which the group is caught off guard by Hind helicopters. This resulted in several of them being killed and one of the most memorable parts of the film in which the character Robert engages a Hind by himself with an RPG then yells WOLVERINES as he fires his AK-47 from the hip while being strafed by the helicopter and gunned down in the process.
When the buzzer sounded my priority was to get my wounded out of harms way. I grabbed the 80 pound ammo crate (buddy simlulation) and dragged it to the start box. After cleared, i retrieved my AK and cleared the right window with 3 shots into the single target. I then made hast to window 2 and drove 3 rounds into the single target. Immediately to my left there was a table with a dummy grenade to throw into a bucket in front of 3 more commies. I ended up over throwing the grenade and was forced to gun them down with 3 shots each. After completion, I booked it around the berm to the second part of the stage.
After clearing the front side of the berm, i was faced with a target. Moving forward, I fired 5 shots then looked left and continued movement toward a second target driving 5 rounds into it. Once done, I ran to the 2 barrels about 20 yards away to engage a large steel plate that simulated the Hind attack helicopter with 5 hits. The first thing going through my mind was to yell WOLVERINES! as I sent rounds down range from the hip. After a few shots and almost dialed in my weapon ran dry. Instead of reloading, I decided to transition to my pistol and was over confident in my unsupported shooting at 75 yards or so. Even with a 3′x3′ plate to hit, it took me almost 2 magazines to complete my hits. This blunder cost me time and made me realize I need to shoot unsupported more often. This marked the end of the match.
Equipment Overview:
Rifle: AK-47 with a folding wire stock and slant break. The rear sight notch was widened for a much better sight picture and had a Vtac mkII sling. It also featured the spent case mod to extend the charging handle.
Pistol: Glock 19 with night sights. G17 magazines.
Holster: Bladetech IWB
Gear: HSGI AO Small Chest Rig
HSGI Double Decker Taco Magazine pouches
HSGI Bleeder/Blowout Kit
Alta Knee pads
Outdoor Research Firemark Gloves
Equipment Remarks:
I really enjoyed the Ak47 I used. Initial impressions of the wire stock weren’t that great but after a day at the range and using it in the match, it really grew on me. Id have to say that if I bought an AK, I would definitely widen the rear sight and run the empty case mod. The added real estate to the charging handle makes a big difference when working the action. I would definitely say that the AK doesn’t stand up to the no-issue opinion people have to of the platform. Between the malfunctions that occurred to my weapon plus what I observed of others’ AK47/74′s I would say that even an AK platform is subject to failure. Not to say that the AR15 is perfect, but from my experience, both platforms can be equally as reliable or temperamental depending on the parts and level of maintenance.
My chest rig ran great and I am thoroughly impressed with the HSGI Taco pouches. The retention was great and the entire unit made for a very compact and fast setup. The only issue I encountered was that my rig was a little loose fitting and it flopped around a little too much during the sprint on stage 1.
This was my first major use of the OR Firemark Gloves. After wearing them the entire match, I’d have to say I’m pretty impressed by them. They caught some attention from military there as a possible replacement for their Oakley pilot gloves and i look forward to writing up a full review after more use. The amount of dexterity and protection they provided was very well balanced.
As usual my Glock 19 functioned flawlessly and my Alta knee pads stayed in place and did their job.
Final thoughts:
The Red Dawn match was a lot of fun. I cant thank the ACTS crew enough for continually providing both a challenging and enjoyable match. All of the stages incorporated enough from the film and had an added touch from the stage creators. If one hasn’t shot an ACTS match, I highly recommend checking it out. Not only will you have a good time, but the challenge provided each month makes it worth it. ACTS also provides a great environment to really test out your rifles, handguns and equipment. ACTS Matches are currently being held each month in Tucson, AZ and Bellevue, Michigan. For match information, please visit: www.actshooters.com
