tactical
In the world of firearm enthusiasts, few words inspire more eye-rolling than "tactical." If pushed for a definition, it could be said that a tactical firearm or firearm accessory is intended to increase the combat effectiveness of the shooter. For example, adding a flashlight to a rifle means the shooter can still see the target at night, so technically the shooter is more combat effective with a flashlight on the rifle than without. As such, a flashlight and a mount to attach it to your weapon is a tactical accessory.
However, the term has become so marketable that it no longer has any real significance. "Tactical" has come to be associated with any modifications that give a firearm a more military look, such as black synthetic furniture, adjustable stocks, and Picatinny rail systems, regardless of whether or not these modifications improve combat effectiveness. Products that alter a firearm's aesthetics (appearance) more than the firearm's performance are sometimes referred to as "tacticool" products.
Purchasing a product that is marketed as tactical is no guarantee of quality or performance; in fact, it may be more of a warning sign. If a buyer is seeking quality components, they might search for products that market themselves towards law enforcement and military personnel. These products are more likely (but far from guaranteed) to be of quality manufacture.
However, the term has become so marketable that it no longer has any real significance. "Tactical" has come to be associated with any modifications that give a firearm a more military look, such as black synthetic furniture, adjustable stocks, and Picatinny rail systems, regardless of whether or not these modifications improve combat effectiveness. Products that alter a firearm's aesthetics (appearance) more than the firearm's performance are sometimes referred to as "tacticool" products.
Purchasing a product that is marketed as tactical is no guarantee of quality or performance; in fact, it may be more of a warning sign. If a buyer is seeking quality components, they might search for products that market themselves towards law enforcement and military personnel. These products are more likely (but far from guaranteed) to be of quality manufacture.
target, target ammunition
"Target" is a tricky term, because it can mean completely different things depending on what part of the firearm is being described. If you purchase "target ammunition", you have bought inexpensive ammunition with mediocre accuracy, intended to provide cheap shooting at fixed targets (high quality ammunition is called "match" ammunition). If you have a rifle with a "target barrel" or a "target stock" (etc, etc), you likely have an expensive, high-quality component intended to provide maximum accuracy.
telescopic sight
A telescopic sight, commonly called a scope, is a weapon sight that enhances the shooter's vision by magnifying the image seen through the sight. Magnification is arguably the most important feature of a scope, and is expressed by the number of magnifications from the human eye followed by "x", for example, a "5x" scope is magnified at five times the human sight. This means that an object 500 meters away from the shooter will appear as though it were 100 meters away when viewed through the lens of a 5x sight.
Another point important point to consider in scope design is the size of the objective lens, which will determine the scope's bulk and flexibility in terms of lighting and the shooter's head placement.
Finally, the scale of the scope's adjustments and the reticle pattern will determine the ultimate precision the scope is capable of. 1/2 MOA adjustments and a simple crosshair are adequate for most shooter's needs, but ultra-fine adjustments and reticles featuring rangefinders or BDCs may also be desirable. Careful attention should be paid to all of these features when choosing a scope.
Another point important point to consider in scope design is the size of the objective lens, which will determine the scope's bulk and flexibility in terms of lighting and the shooter's head placement.
Finally, the scale of the scope's adjustments and the reticle pattern will determine the ultimate precision the scope is capable of. 1/2 MOA adjustments and a simple crosshair are adequate for most shooter's needs, but ultra-fine adjustments and reticles featuring rangefinders or BDCs may also be desirable. Careful attention should be paid to all of these features when choosing a scope.
TEOTWAWKI (the end of the world as we know it)
TEOTWAWKI is an acronym for The End Of The World As We Know It, and is a common theme in the discussions of some firearms and outdoors enthusiasts. TEOTWAWKI implies that a cataclysm of global proportions has taken place: a nuclear war, a worldwide plague, or a global climate change are all examples of TEOTWAWKI situations. TEOTWAWKI situations imply that citizens can no longer rely on assistance from governments or other authorities, making each person solely responsible for the protection and care of themselves and their families. TEOTWAWKI situations are often cited as the reason for maintaining unusually large and expensive stockpiles of weaponry, food, and other supplies.
See also: SHTF
See also: SHTF
tritium
Tritium is a rare isotope of hydrogen with a variety of uses, although in the firearms industry it is exclusively used to make maintenance-free and battery-free phosphorescent (glow-in-the-dark) sights and sight reticles. Tritium inserts do not require electricity or charging from other light sources, instead providing their own luminescence via radioactivity (the level of radiation emitted is not harmful). Tritium illumination technology replaced older and more dangerous radium-based light sources, but unlike radium (which is a solid and can be incorporated into paints and plastics), tritium is gaseous and tritium inserts are actually transparent, hollow tubes filled with tritium gas. The inside of the tubes is coated with a phosphor (a chemical that converts the tritium's emitted radiation into visible light), much like a fluorescent light tube. Tritium's brightness will fade over time, and most tritium inserts are not bright enough for use after about ten years. It is not possible to "recharge" a tritium insert (unless you own a nuclear reactor).
Most sights can have their old, faded tritium inserts replaced with new ones, although this is generally a procedure that cannot be accomplished by the owner due to restrictions on the sale of tritium. Tritium is perfectly safe in the quantities used for weapon sights, but it can be used (in large quantities) in the production of nuclear weapons, and so the production and sale of tritium in the USA is highly regulated by the NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission). As a result, it is not possible for individuals to obtain raw tritium light sources (which is usually what you need to fix your sight) without a proper license from the NRC. It is, however, legal for individuals to purchase tritium products from a licensed manufacturer, which is how you are able to buy gunsights, watches, and other tritium-illuminated devices. In short, you can probably re-illuminate your sights, but you'll have to send it back to the manufacturer.
Most sights can have their old, faded tritium inserts replaced with new ones, although this is generally a procedure that cannot be accomplished by the owner due to restrictions on the sale of tritium. Tritium is perfectly safe in the quantities used for weapon sights, but it can be used (in large quantities) in the production of nuclear weapons, and so the production and sale of tritium in the USA is highly regulated by the NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission). As a result, it is not possible for individuals to obtain raw tritium light sources (which is usually what you need to fix your sight) without a proper license from the NRC. It is, however, legal for individuals to purchase tritium products from a licensed manufacturer, which is how you are able to buy gunsights, watches, and other tritium-illuminated devices. In short, you can probably re-illuminate your sights, but you'll have to send it back to the manufacturer.
Tula
The term "Tula" refers to the Tula Arms Plant in Russia, previously known as the Tula Arsenal. Founded in the early 1700s, Tula has produced a variety of weapons over its lifespan. Today, it is difficult to discern the role Tula plays in Russian arms manufacturing, but it is known that very few of their products are available for importation into the US (see VRA). Unlike Izhmash and Molot, Tula does not appear to have a USA-based importer, though they do have importers in various European nations.
Tula also appears to the primary manufacturer of weapons designed by the Central Research Institute for Precision Machine Building (TsNIITochMash) and the KBP Instrument Design Bureau (TSKIB SOO), which are research and design firms known to produce sporting weapons of exceptional quality and military weapons of unusual design, such as the VSS Vintorez integrally-suppressed sniper rifle, as well as bullpup variants of the SVD and Mosin-Nagant rifles.
Tula also appears to the primary manufacturer of weapons designed by the Central Research Institute for Precision Machine Building (TsNIITochMash) and the KBP Instrument Design Bureau (TSKIB SOO), which are research and design firms known to produce sporting weapons of exceptional quality and military weapons of unusual design, such as the VSS Vintorez integrally-suppressed sniper rifle, as well as bullpup variants of the SVD and Mosin-Nagant rifles.
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