Its mostly mall ninja stuff - a marketing tool.

Sometimes, "tactical" is used to refer to 5" barrelled handguns or pistol gripped rifles...

Originally Posted by Shipwreck

Its mostly mall ninja stuff - a marketing tool.

Pretty much lol

My pistol says "Tactical"

I bought the pistol for what it is but some buy it for the name.

tactical= colored black and something on it is checkered or serrated in an unusual place or fashion,most often in a totally useless place, Got it??

I once had a Springfield TRP 1911 - and it had "Tactical" written on it - it turned out to be a tactical mistake of a purchase, though

Some times just a gun you hang a lot of junk on. Oh I forgot, expenseive junk. Sales,sales, and more sales. It's the American Way....Can't git enought.

I shoot a Canon Rebel XT camera that is black. I guess I could call it tactical too. I also have some tactical serving spoons and spatulas. But the best tactical piece I have are my tactical socks with matching belt. They are the cats meow.

Everyone will have a different definition of "tactical" but I agree with the others it is mostly a marketing gimmik.

I suppose I will go against the grain...

I confess that I like the "true" tactical gear, not the pseudo tac junk passed off at the local gun shows.
I have a some experience with this particular category of firearms & weapons... maybe just a little more than your "average gun-show junkie" because I was a purchasing agent for a county facility down in Central FLA & I spent tax payers $$$ all sorts of gear for SOG units & other departments.
Also speaking of tactical ....
I was at the FWC Marine Facility a few days ago and the guys prepping 1 of 2 TACTICAL RESPONSE VESSELS ... It is a twin engine 31-O Contenders (a high end offshore fishing boat) painted Battleship gray & yeah, some black trim now that I think of it. They were constructing a forward gun mount for her 5.56 to be added later. And the Skipper said with a BIG poop-eating grin & a cigar in his teeth "She gonna be FAST & MEAN, just like I like my women" . ...
Oh' I suppose we were talkin about handguns , I read tactical & this was the latest tactical experience I've had lately....sorry I got carried away, I like boats just as much as I do guns & when ya put the 2 together...

When I was on the Air Force Emergency Services Team (EST) which is basically a military SWAT team our only extra, “tactical” gear was a bullet resistant vest. Beside that, it was everything we carried day in and day out as Security Policeman. I was the team marksman and used my issue M16 with open sites. We also carried a .38 for some entries. Oh, I did add a small mirror for peeking around corners to avoid getting an extra hole in my head. I’m sure much has changed since I was active duty. I’ve heard SP’s now have MP5’s the lucky dogs.

OK, RC.........where's the damn pics of this bad ass boat?

Originally Posted by Charlie

OK, RC.........where's the damn pics of this bad ass boat?

~ Hey Charlie,
I didn't have a camera on me. I was there on an interview & discussing future job opportunities. The Maintenance Superintendent took me over & let me check them out up close. It's this boat spayed Battleship gray & black rigged for marine emergency situations with blue lights and all. Just a wicked looking law enforcement vessel..


MY APOLOGIZES to Camo cowboy for the derail & anyone else with no interest in boats... :smt003

Originally Posted by rustycompass

It's this boat spayed Battleship gray & black rigged for marine emergency situations with blue lights and all.

Hmmmmmm sounds like K-mart

ATTENTION, ATTENTION we have a blue light special!

It's mostly a marketing ploy. However the common traits seem to be:

• a full size pistol, but one that is still generally concealable, ie. no Desert Eagles or 8" revolvers
• Black in color

Is gray considered a "tactical" color? Seems to be more gray colored accessories, etc. showing up lately. Maybe to match the bead blast finishes of the stainless or alloy parts of a gun. "Urban" tactical? Anybody else notice?