Simunitions

Maximus856 · May 25, 2008, 10:48 PM

Has anyone ever used them? We've used them a bit, especially on convoy ops. It's good training, and a little scary when you think about it. It really puts things into perspective when you get hit with one and think 'if this were real life, I wouldn't be here.' We use them with our m16's, but have yet to use them for our SAW's...

-Max

SavageMOA · May 25, 2008, 11:22 PM

I've heard of these before (my chemistry professor is retired Army), what exactly are they and how do they work?

chris in va · May 26, 2008, 12:25 AM

Just doing a Google search...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simunition

dogmush · May 26, 2008, 02:54 AM

I've used them. Good training aid.

They don't work very well in SAWs. I've never had any belts, and mag feed in a saw is touchy at best. The simmunition seems to feed worse.

Creature · May 26, 2008, 07:29 AM

Used them in converted Glocks, Sigs and M4's for training. Useless and inaccurate out beyond 30 yards. Fine for CQB training.

redsaber75 · May 26, 2008, 08:22 AM

For civilian use, I prefer airsoft since it is cheaper and technically it is not a firearm.

raimius · May 26, 2008, 10:01 PM

I used them in some MOUT training. I felt bad for one guy in my squad. He took a 3 round burst to the fleshy part of his side/back. The simunition went through his BDUs and one lodged in his back. I can't image that pulling a piece of plastic out of your back feels very good! (He was hit from less than arms length from the muzzle of the M4.)

Airsoft works nicely too (one of my hobbies). The only differences, at short range, are that BBs don't leave paint and there is no felt recoil from most airsoft guns...oh, and they don't jam nearly as much as simunition-modified rifles!

JP Sarte · May 27, 2008, 12:06 PM

We used them in LE high risk entry training. I was a little skeptical about them at first but after we did it I really liked them. I think they are expensive though so for a small department with a limited budget it might not be a good option.

JP

Scattergun Bob · May 28, 2008, 08:53 AM

In officer survival training as OP4, very eye opening. This was the original force on force training that is the rage today.

It is expensive, the value is that those hits on the range help awaken the "street" instincts of patrol officers.

raimius · May 29, 2008, 06:17 PM

Simunitions are very useful training tools, in my opinion.

I would also recommend airsoft. Quality pistols run in the $100-$150 range, and MP5s/ARs are usually around $250-$300. The upkeep is where airsoft really comes into its own. Three thousand BBs will run about $12, AEG rifles use rechargeable batteries, and gas pistols can run on propane.

Erik · May 29, 2008, 07:10 PM

"Has anyone ever used them?"

Yes. As already noted, they are useful training aids which help illustrate holes in training, tactics, and beliefs about performance in ways that talking about it cannot do.

May 25, 2008, 10:48 PM	#1
Maximus856 Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2006 Location: PA Posts: 547	Simunitions Has anyone ever used them? We've used them a bit, especially on convoy ops. It's good training, and a little scary when you think about it. It really puts things into perspective when you get hit with one and think 'if this were real life, I wouldn't be here.' We use them with our m16's, but have yet to use them for our SAW's... -Max

May 28, 2008, 08:53 AM	#9
Scattergun Bob Senior Member Join Date: February 29, 2008 Location: Nine Mile Falls, Washington Posts: 1,186	Yes In officer survival training as OP4, very eye opening. This was the original force on force training that is the rage today. It is expensive, the value is that those hits on the range help awaken the "street" instincts of patrol officers. __________________ First, with the most, WINS! Regards, Scattergun Bob

May 29, 2008, 07:10 PM	#11
Erik Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 1999 Location: America Posts: 3,479	"Has anyone ever used them?" Yes. As already noted, they are useful training aids which help illustrate holes in training, tactics, and beliefs about performance in ways that talking about it cannot do. __________________ Meriam Webster's: Main Entry: ci·vil·ian Pronunciation: \sə-ˈvil-yən also -ˈvi-yən\, Function: noun, Date: 14th century, 1: a specialist in Roman or modern civil law, 2 a: one not on active duty in the armed services or not on a police or firefighting force b: outsider 1, — civilian adjective

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May 25, 2008, 11:22 PM	#2
SavageMOA Senior Member Join Date: March 19, 2008 Posts: 368	I've heard of these before (my chemistry professor is retired Army), what exactly are they and how do they work?

May 26, 2008, 12:25 AM	#3
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	Just doing a Google search... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simunition

May 26, 2008, 02:54 AM	#4
dogmush Member Join Date: July 18, 2007 Posts: 24	I've used them. Good training aid. They don't work very well in SAWs. I've never had any belts, and mag feed in a saw is touchy at best. The simmunition seems to feed worse.

May 26, 2008, 07:29 AM	#5
Creature Junior member Join Date: April 8, 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 3,769	Used them in converted Glocks, Sigs and M4's for training. Useless and inaccurate out beyond 30 yards. Fine for CQB training.

May 26, 2008, 08:22 AM	#6
redsaber75 Junior Member Join Date: November 12, 2006 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 13	For civilian use, I prefer airsoft since it is cheaper and technically it is not a firearm.

May 26, 2008, 10:01 PM	#7
raimius Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2008 Posts: 2,199	I used them in some MOUT training. I felt bad for one guy in my squad. He took a 3 round burst to the fleshy part of his side/back. The simunition went through his BDUs and one lodged in his back. I can't image that pulling a piece of plastic out of your back feels very good! (He was hit from less than arms length from the muzzle of the M4.) Airsoft works nicely too (one of my hobbies). The only differences, at short range, are that BBs don't leave paint and there is no felt recoil from most airsoft guns...oh, and they don't jam nearly as much as simunition-modified rifles!

May 27, 2008, 12:06 PM	#8
JP Sarte Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 229	We used them in LE high risk entry training. I was a little skeptical about them at first but after we did it I really liked them. I think they are expensive though so for a small department with a limited budget it might not be a good option. JP

May 29, 2008, 06:17 PM	#10
raimius Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2008 Posts: 2,199	Simunitions are very useful training tools, in my opinion. I would also recommend airsoft. Quality pistols run in the $100-$150 range, and MP5s/ARs are usually around $250-$300. The upkeep is where airsoft really comes into its own. Three thousand BBs will run about $12, AEG rifles use rechargeable batteries, and gas pistols can run on propane.