Spring is traditionally a time for renewal, of both physical and metaphysical aspects of nature. Using this time to refocus on values and principles can result in a cleansing of mind and body in preparation for the rest of the year, reflecting on the resolutions of the new year and enacting plans made during the winter months. Looking at the gear shelf, and paring down the equipment accumulated in the enthusiastic pursuit of optimal performance in a given discipline.
The perfect piece of cross-functional gear does not exist; equipment can be more suited or less suited to a stated purpose, but nothing is perfectly suited to an application without being singularly dedicated to a specific task. For example, one pistol holster cannot simultaneously be utilized optimally for concealed carry, open carry, and IPSC competition due to the nuances of each application. This is a universal truth, one that transcends the shooting disciplines and rears its head in any endeavor where expression of skill requires the employment of more than the corporeal body of the practitioner. Going down the rabbit hole of more specialized applications potentially reveals the need for additional, more specialized gear that may present with a full compliment of compromises made by designers and engineers to create the best possible tool for a given niche at the expense of general utilization.
This duality of optimal performance in niche application and the minimalist mindset of an informed generalist creates a dilemma when paring down gear to be lighter, faster, more agile and nimble. How does one maintain capability across the broadest spectrum, without accumulating boxes and racks of gear to address every possible contingency? This dilemma can be resolved through application of experience, training, and hard skill development with caveated acceptance of a higher “minimal” gear threshold. For example, a minimal carbine setup must have: a sighting system (optic/iron sight), a retention device (sling), and an illumination source (weapon-mounted light). Similarly, a minimal pistol setup must have: a sighting system (optic/iron sight), a retention device (holster), and an illumination source (flashlight, either weapon-mounted or handheld). Expanding into niche applications, however, reveals a need for more specialized expressions of each principle category, and therefore, additional equipment. Operating in the infrared spectrum requires the addition of an IR-compatible sighting system and illumination, which can manifest as either cross-compatible variations of standard equipment (such as Surefire Vampire lights and NVG-compatible red-dot sights), or dedicated, optimized solutions such as an infrared laser/illuminator unit.
Paring down to the essentials requires a holistic audit of experience and consideration of application. Moving beyond the aspirational to the concrete and relevant requirements of the operational envelope. Looking at each piece of gear and assessing its place in bigger the picture: Is it critical? Essential? Enhancing? Can it perform across multiple disciplines? And if not, is it the best possible tool within its niche? Is it ending its service life or entering into obsolescence due to wear or industrial progress? All of the questions are asked and answered until the knife cuts away the equipment that does not add value. This should be a continuing process, but events and consumerism can overcome rationality and discipline. If a review of the gear shelf reflects this reality, then now is the perfect time to do some spring cleaning.
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