Something for the Horse riding EBR shooter

[Hazcat]

http://www.aussiesaddle.com/carbine_scabbard.html

[fightingquaker13]

I don't even know where to start. A, if you need a helmet to ride a horse get a different hobby. B I am delighted that our 21st century elite soldiers have got the tools to mount their weapons on their horses, as opposed to say, I don't know, their freaking Helicopters!!!!!!! Given that horses are necessarry in Afghaninstan (your first clue that there is damn little there that is worth a single American life) why don't we want the scabbard, like a traditonal rifle scabbard, to cover the gun and protect it from rain, dust and mud? For five bills, I would expect this. Though again I ask what the hell is worth one American life in a shit hole where a saddle scabbard is the cool new thing? Didn't Alexander the Great, The Brits and the Russians give us a clue? Just asking, and tally ho!
FQ13

[long762range]

I think I would rather have a scabbard that encloses the rifle rather than leaving it open to the elements.  The way it is set up the weapon is totally exposed to dust, dirt, mud, etc.

[Hazcat]

I think I would rather have a scabbard that encloses the rifle rather than leaving it open to the elements.  The way it is set up the weapon is totally exposed to dust, dirt, mud, etc.

All I can say is the Special Forces helped design it so I guess they wanted faster access.

[tombogan03884]

I don't even know where to start. A, if you need a helmet to ride a horse get a different hobby. B I am delighted that our 21st century elite soldiers have got the tools to mount their weapons on their horses, as opposed to say, I don't know, their freaking Helicopters!!!!!!! Given that horses are necessarry in Afghaninstan (your first clue that there is damn little there that is worth a single American life) Why don't we want the scabbard, like a traditonal rifle scabbard to cover the gun and protect it from rain, dust and mud? For five bills, I would expect this. Though again I ask what the hell is worth one American life in a shit hole where a saddle scabbard is the cool new thing? Didn't Alexander the Great, The Brits and the Russians give us a clue? Just asking, and tally ho!
FQ13

I have to address FQ's post in 2 parts.
First about Afghanistan, After Al Queda was driven out there has been no useful purpose in having regular troops in Afghanistan, as FQ points out, people have been failing to pacify those tough old SOB's for 3,000 years and have never managed it. Our goal over there was simply to PUNISH the Taliban and kill Al Queda . As soon as Karzia gained control of the Kabul Govt. the Taliban were sufficiently punished. because they are ethnically based on the Pashtun tribe, the largest of the countries ethnic groups and traditional rulers, they will never be "destroyed" and will eventually have to included in any peace settlement. The fight against Al Queda on the other hand is a job for Spec. Ops. forces who should not be limited to Afghanistan but should be able to pursue leads to any location on the planet with orders to simply Locate, Identify, and kill.
As to the scabbard itself I agree with FQ that it is not worth the money as it provides no protection for the weapon, prevents the weapon from being brought rapidly into action and allows the weapon to snag on any brush or other obstacles that may be encountered. The old fashioned "drop in" saddle scabbard is far more practical and effective.

[Sponsor]

[fightingquaker13]

I have to address FQ's post in 2 parts.
First about Afghanistan, After Al Queda was driven out there has been no useful purpose in having regular troops in Afghanistan, as FQ points out, people have been failing to pacify those tough old SOB's for 3,000 years and have never managed it. Our goal over there was simply to PUNISH the Taliban and kill Al Queda . As soon as Karzia gained control of the Kabul Govt. the Taliban were sufficiently punished. because they are ethnically based on the Pashtun tribe, the largest of the countries ethnic groups and traditional rulers, they will never be "destroyed" and will eventually have to included in any peace settlement. The fight against Al Queda on the other hand is a job for Spec. Ops. forces who should not be limited to Afghanistan but should be able to pursue leads to any location on the planet with orders to simply Locate, Identify, and kill.
As to the scabbard itself I agree with FQ that it is not worth the money as it provides no protection for the weapon, prevents the weapon from being brought rapidly into action and allows the weapon to snag on any brush or other obstacles that may be encountered. The old fashioned "drop in" saddle scabbard is far more practical and effective.

Damn, kinda scary when we agree, and most importantly, agree for the same reason. Either its a "teachable moment" for others or we're both just drunk or crazy.
FQ13

[Pathfinder]

I have to address FQ's post in 2 parts.
First about Afghanistan, After Al Queda was driven out there has been no useful purpose in having regular troops in Afghanistan, as FQ points out, people have been failing to pacify those tough old SOB's for 3,000 years and have never managed it. Our goal over there was simply to PUNISH the Taliban and kill Al Queda . As soon as Karzia gained control of the Kabul Govt. the Taliban were sufficiently punished. because they are ethnically based on the Pashtun tribe, the largest of the countries ethnic groups and traditional rulers, they will never be "destroyed" and will eventually have to included in any peace settlement. The fight against Al Queda on the other hand is a job for Spec. Ops. forces who should not be limited to Afghanistan but should be able to pursue leads to any location on the planet with orders to simply Locate, Identify, and kill.
As to the scabbard itself I agree with FQ that it is not worth the money as it provides no protection for the weapon, prevents the weapon from being brought rapidly into action and allows the weapon to snag on any brush or other obstacles that may be encountered. The old fashioned "drop in" saddle scabbard is far more practical and effective.

Um, guys, we did leave them alone and look what we got - the Taliban blowing up Buddhas, oppressing almost everyone not Taliban, and, oh, by the way, giving such wonderful humanitarians like bin Laden a nice comfy home, money and support. And look where that got us.

I am not in favor of us meddling in everyone's business, but really, Afghanistan is a great example of what happens when we turn a blind eye toward evil and try to have a meaningful conversation with it practitioners. Like bho is trying to do with Iran these days. Mark my words, we will pay for that too.

PS: I vote drunk for Tom, crazy for you. 

[fightingquaker13]

Um, guys, we did leave them alone and look what we got - the Taliban blowing up Buddhas, oppressing almost everyone not Taliban, and, oh, by the way, giving such wonderful humanitarians like bin Laden a nice comfy home, money and support. And look where that got us.

I am not in favor of us meddling in everyone's business, but really, Afghanistan is a great example of what happens when we turn a blind eye toward evil and try to have a meaningful conversation with it practitioners. Like bho is trying to do with Iran these days. Mark my words, we will pay for that too.

PS: I vote drunk for Tom, crazy for you.  

Path, we can try to put a government togehther in Iraq. I stress try, because the Sunnis, the Shites and the Kurds hate each other, have zero loyalty to the flag, and neighboring countries have dozens of reasons to intervene, none of which benefit us or the Iraqis as a whole. Its why Powell and HW (the elder and smarter Bush) didn't invade. All that being said, Iraq is a walk in the park compared to Afghanistan. PC aside, those people are barbarians we would be doing them a favor by bombing them into the stone age as they live somwhere below it now. Honestly, I read an article in the Times about three girls who were buried alive for refusing arranged marriages and two village women who got the same treatment for defending the girls. Its not a nation, its not even a tribe with a flag, its several tribes fighting over who gets to control the flag. No outside power can fix this. The best we can do is this. Make it clear that we will respect whatever government the Afghans put up no mater how FUBARed it is by our standards, with one caveat. They do not support, harbor or tolerate anti-US terorists, or we bomb the crap out of them. Not an alliance, just an armed peace.
FQ13
PS That is what these folks understand. The credible threat of violence coupled with a good faith willingness  to abide by a treaty. This they understand, the rest of it is hot air.
FQ13

[tombogan03884]

Um, guys, we did leave them alone and look what we got - the Taliban blowing up Buddhas, oppressing almost everyone not Taliban, and, oh, by the way, giving such wonderful humanitarians like bin Laden a nice comfy home, money and support. And look where that got us.

I am not in favor of us meddling in everyone's business, but really, Afghanistan is a great example of what happens when we turn a blind eye toward evil and try to have a meaningful conversation with it practitioners. Like bho is trying to do with Iran these days. Mark my words, we will pay for that too.

PS: I vote drunk for Tom, crazy for you.

Path,I'll skip over the Buddha thing because that is strictly between them, just like when we built a dam and flooded Glen Canyon. For the rest you have to look at the history of the place. The only way to get all the tribes, clans, and ethnic groups to obey one central Govt. is by force, even then they only pay lip service. The Taliban may have been draconian in their views but they held themselves to the same standards, also, the Pashtun tribe, that the Taliban derive from, have been the traditional rulers of Afghanistan for about 600 years and therefor have a more legitimate claim to the govt. than any one else in a nondemocratic society, (and the idea of a fractured tribal society like that adopting Democracy is at best laughable).
Yes, They let Bin Laden set up shop there, but you overlook some things. First, because of Bin Ladens contributions to the "Anti Soviet Jihad" of the 80's, which WE actively supported, Bin Laden held a place in Afghan history similar to the one held in our own history by Lafayette, Secondly, you have the money trail reversed, Afghanistan was BROKE, they could not have given Bin Laden a cent. Bin Laden, the Pakistani Intelligence service ISI, and the Saudi Royal Family paid THEM much needed currency to let Bin Laden set up camp there. Just as OBL and the Saudi's had previously paid Sudan for the same purpose.
Quite the contrary to your argument, Afghanistan is a classic example of when we should NOT waste resources by engaging in "Conventional" warfare in Unconventional situations.
US and NATO forces in Afghanistan will accomplish nothing but to accumulate casualties, kill Afghani's who have ALWAYS resisted outside influence, and cause civilian casualties, all of which will be used by the "blame America" crowd and the Jihadists to try to smear America's image while accomplishing absolutely nothing of any lasting effect.

[WatchManUSA]

By now you would think that people in our country would have learned a big lesson.  The US Military is by far the best tool to use when you want to kill people and break things in a direct action to defeat an armed force of opposition.  When the action is over get them back to base.  They are NOT best utilized as a heavily armed constabulary.  The US Military is not the force to use for nation building.  If you need that then get some other group involved.

As for the original post, it is nice to see that we still have a horse mounted cavalry.  Sometimes old school is new school. 

As for the scabbard, I have some design suggestions I would like to suggest but since I am now doing consulting I don’t give ideas away.