[QUOTE=jmoore;213512]Color me stupid here, but don't the armed forces now train with blanks and "laser tag" gear strapped to their rifles? Never mind simulators like F.A.T.S. And if you confuse the ballistic curve of a .22 with a 5,56, 9mm, or .45, you aren't apt to to do well in other training scenarios either...

No, we don't use "laser tag" gear for training anyone marksmanship. The purpose of the simulators is to teach basic familiarity and handling. They are intended to teach folks who have never handled a weapon before the basic principles. Blanks are used to make a training scenario more realistic and beats yelling "bang". Like when doing convoy training for example. The purpose is to teach tactics involving the convoy, not marksmanship. For weapons qualifications and practical marksmanship we still use good old live ammunition and a range.
I'm just a firm believer in the proven theory that you train with what use, and use what you train with. I find that the simulators are better trainers and more practical than training with a .22. I never thought I would say that but the technology has come far enough that even though it's not a live fire situation, the ballistics are at least on par with a real M4 or M16icon. Don't get me wrong, there is and never will be a substitute for live fire on a range, but compared to training with a .22 I think the simulators make more sense.




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