Articles
Zombies on the Range
Benefits of The Undead Craze
by Andy Loeffler
Photos by Author
Posted: Jul 11, 2012
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| Author as a zombie, or before first cup of coffee. |
As a kid, I was a huge fan of B-grade horror movies. Truth is, I still am, to my family’s occasional exasperation. As time has gone by, my enthusiasm for creepy mansions and mad scientists has been tempered by the mundane demands of reality -- but it has never really gone away. So unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you probably know you’re going to read an article about … what else? Zombies. But before you scroll down and vote “awful” and cancel your subscription to the Personal Defense Network, hear me out. They say that politics makes strange bedfellows -- and as defensive-minded gun owners, we may find these mythical flesh-eating ghouls the best friends we’ve had in a long time.
Let’s start with the obvious: zombies are everywhere. They’ve permeated every facet of our popular culture, from books and graphic novels (adult comic books) to movies and TV shows. They appear on boxes of breakfast cereal, clothing of every description, and even bottles of beer. Charitable organizations have tapped into the power of the undead, hosting “zombie walks” where people dress up as shambling corpses and give canned goods or cash donations for the privilege. Across the country, including here in small town Ohio, local officials have used zombies to conduct emergency management training for their first responders. Masses of locals volunteer their time to portray the undead, and everyone ends up better prepared and more knowledgeable about their local civil emergency readiness.
Benefit #1: Disaster Preparedness
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| Zombie targets abound. This one is from the Birchwood Casey Darkotic line. |
Even our federal government has been bitten by the zombie bug. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response has an internet blog about zombie attacks in which the director of the CDC is quoted: “If you are generally well-equipped to deal with a zombie apocalypse, you will be prepared for a hurricane, pandemic, earthquake or terrorist attack.”
Which is, of course, the first benefit of zombie-mania: It is a widespread and mainstream phenomenon. Those of us who are active at our ranges and in our communities should tear this page out of the CDC’s playbook and use the zombies’ popularity to get a conversation started about disaster preparedness. The CDC and FEMA, along with scores of agencies at the state and local levels, offer advice about assembling disaster survival kits and planning for emergency conditions.
These entities, of course, leave out the part about defending you and yours with a firearm. Many of us gun-types are ahead … probably way ahead … of the curve on this, but our non-gunning friends and family likely aren’t. The larger topic of preparing for a natural disaster or civil unrest is a logical way to introduce the benefits of training and ready access to arms. This could be of use if the given audience is not particularly predisposed to firearms ownership. Remember that it is the conversation that is important, not the silly gimmick that got it started.
Benefit #2: Hot Sellers
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| Hornady Zombie Max 12-gauge shotgun ammo. |
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| EOTech Zombie Stopper weapon sight. |
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| View through Zombie Stopper EOTech shows unique bio-hazard holographic reticle. |
The second big benefit of the current zombie craze is more subtle and perhaps a bit self-serving, at least on the surface. Interest in zombies and a coming zombie apocalypse has created an interest in the development and marketing of zombie-related products. Examples abound at the local range and gun shop:
Hornady ammunition hit the ground running with their Zombie Max line, pretty much a repackaging of their premium self-defense and varmint-hunting products. L3 Communications offers a special version of their excellent EOTech weapon sight sporting special zombie markings. It even uses a holographic bio-hazard symbol as an aiming point instead of their signature circle dot reticle!
Mossberg has brought out an entire line of anti-zombie firearms that includes several models of shotguns. There is even a highly specialized version of their model 464 lever-action rifle complete with accessory rails, optics mount and collapsible stock.
And of course, there are zombie targets. Dozens of vendors large and small have introduced zombie-themed targets of all descriptions, and at many ranges they’re top sellers. In fact, there is a fine little company producing an innovative line of reactive three-dimensional targets for training and recreational uses. Their name? Zombie Industries -- check ‘em out.
Now you may be saying … so what? These companies are jumping on the bandwagon and making a quick buck on this stupid zombie craze. In the small picture, maybe so. But think of it this way: Hornady, Mossberg, L3 Communications (EOTech) and Zombie Industries are American companies that have a vested interest in the continued success and growth of the shooting sports. The more established firms have track records of putting their money where their mouths are and supporting the Second Amendment and the hunting heritage rights of all Americans.
In other words, your fight is their fight. This is an election year and I am of the opinion that the coming months are going to be very important to a lot of people in a lot of ways. So for me, when I load a round of Hornady Zombie Max, aim through a bio-hazard EOTech, or shoot some kind of zombie target, I am voting with my wallet and having a hell of a lot of fun at the same time!
From a training perspective, is my readiness actually degraded by the occasional use of a zombie target? Does the process by which I orient on the threat and execute multiple combat-accurate shots to the high center chest change if my target is a photograph of a terrorist, a bottle-shaped humanoid shade, or a graphic cartoon zombie? I don’t think so.
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| Flyer announcing 2011 Zombie Hunt fun shoot at Black Wing Shooting Center. |
Let’s look at the bottom line. If you are searching for a way to interest friends or family to become involved, learn about guns and their role in home and personal defense, these unpleasant zombie characters are a great way to do it. If your range or gun club is looking for new members or to create a little positive publicity, try a zombie-themed event. Here at Black Wing Shooting Center, we’re gearing up for our third annual Zombie Hunt. A little imagination and some homework are all it takes. That’s why I’m talking about it now, so start making your plans today. We’ve got some surprises up our sleeves at Black Wing Shooting Center, and Zombie Hunt 2012 will be the best ever.
Also, if you’ve been walking past those stupid zombie posters on your way to the B-27 silhouette target, may I humbly suggest you give it a try? It absorbs bullets as well as any other piece of paper, and just maybe breaking up that familiar shape can have some value.
Finally, what to do if the zombie apocalypse actually comes? Me and mine are headed straight for Capitol Hill … because nobody would ever go there looking for brains….
16 Comments
Well Written! The 3D zombie targets that bleed add an interesting spin on training as well. Although frowned upon in indoor ranges (due to the "Bloody mess they make") There great outside. It really breaks up the monotony and brings a good crowd.
I've not really been to this whole zombie craze thing. I really just don't see the attraction! Vampires? Sure. Werewolves? OK. But who wants to be a rotting, undead corpse?!? I just don't get it. That being said, I agree with the author 100%. It has been a boon to the shooting sports industry, there are a lot more 'preppers' out there today than there were when the zombie craze first started. Both are good things! I've also found that kids seem to enjoy shooting at 'zombies' more than at regular ol' paper targets, also a good thing. (The new trend of "tactical .22's" helps here too!) Another benefit is the new products available! I happen to really like the new 'Zombie Killer' reticle from EoTech, and right now my AKM is loaded with Hornady's ZombieMax ammunition. But for me the best new zombie product is Ka-Bar's new line of zombie killer knives. The neon green handles are perfect for survival knives. In the past I've always had to settle with using a brightly colored piece of cord for a lanyard. That worked OK, but this is far better. No more spending time looking for that black or brown of OD green knife that I dropped or just set down a few seconds ago and now can't find! And neon green, while serving the purpose beautifully, is far less offensive to the rest of our camo or FDE gear than blaze orange! (Besides, most knife & machete companies don't even offer blaze orange handles. Are you listening Cold Steel?!?!?) So even if this whole zombie craze thing annoys a bit from time to time, I say "Let it continue!" Maybe we'll get some more good products out it!
Thanks for reading, Rotax 800. I always think that we need to do whatever it takes to keep people engaged and interested. The younger folks, who are the future of our hunting and shooting sports and our 2nd Amendment rights, LOVE all things zombie- we would ignore that at our peril!
I can't believe this childish idiocy is still around.
Didn't know about the EOTech sight. Going out to gimmione!
The ZOMBIE thing is GREAT, BUT: I can see it now, a hyper gun hating prosecuter finds out you shot a bad guy with ZOMBIE killer bullets, WOW would that open a can of ZOMBIE worms! Just saying! Paul in Athens
Andy, the make-up is awesome!
Entertaining like all the other articles that have been written.
A little crazy, but that being said, anything that gets people interested in self-defense is a good thing.
The Zombie fad drives me crazy, but on the other hand it breaks the ice when it comes to getting people to buy a firearm and hopefully start to realize how lucky the people of the U.S.A. are to have the right to even own a firearm. Then hopefully grow to learn how fickle and lack of common sense some people in the US who are bent on to regulate, hassled, and take our rights away to bear arms, and the rest of the constitutional rights while at it.
Thanks for reading, Rick and Sic Semper! I think you've both hit the nail on the head. Love it or hate it, the zombie thing has made people think more about things like personal security and disaster preparedness. If they're seeking training or they're in the range putting in the work, I don't care much about their target choice- a bad guy is a bad guy.
This was a great article to read, very interesting.
The Zombie crazy is just a marking gimmick that is making millions for manufactures of ammo, sights, targets, guns, etc. and it is working!! Sad thing is that some people really believe that people will rise from the dead and become flesh eating Zombies. That is absurd! I had my 11 year old ask me about Zombies. His classmates had him convinced that there will be a Zombie Apocalypse...humm? This Zombie crazy now gets some people that should not really be carrying a gun into gun ownership and unrealistic shooting. Working part-time in a gun store and hearing conversations these young potential gun owners are having with each other, well is really scary! The maturity level of some of these "kids" today are pretty low. This crazy is becoming a live game, instead of a a video game to some and it is very dangerous. Personally, if we want people to be prepared for self-defense, against real world threats like active shooters, then we need to teach people self-defense using realistic situations, scenarios and realistic targets. My main concern the younger, Zombie crazed generation, who are focusing on a Zombie targets as a threat my not protect themselves if attacked by a non-Zombie or a real threat. Personally, using realistic targets is more beneficial to personal defense than Zombie targets. I personally train and practice real battles. Okay, I have thought about buying a Zombie target just for plunking fun with a 22, but that's it. :) If a Zombie target is what gets young folks into shooting sports I am okay with it, but IMO we should not be using them for real world personal defense.
Thanks for reading and for your comments, Donnie! I must say that I haven't encountered any adults that actually believe that there will be corpses shuffling around trying to eat them one day. And if I did, I would surely doubt their general mental well-being. I think of these zombies (or aliens, or vampires, or whatever) as ciphers. They provide a convenient identity for the larger catalog of things that may threaten us, be it individually or collectively. In training, I do not believe that the target is going to literally attack me: I am using the target as a device that helps me learn to recognize and respond appropriately under the circumstances. I hope that I will never meet a person so unbalanced that they would recognize and respond to a zombie but not a violent criminal assault! For those of us in command of our faculties,the picture of the "bad guy" on the target is totally irrelevant.- it is purely a matter of taste.
ZOMBIES? Really? "...to keep them engaged and interested". That concerns me A LOT.. as to WHOM we are engaging.. are they actually old enough and mature enough to handle a firearm? If the y are into the ZOMBIE thing.. then I am very suspicious- what else? Werewolves and Vampires and the Tooth Fairy? Do have they have a grip on reality at all? I believe that the ZOMBIE bs merely denigrates the shooting/guns/hunting image. Believe me when I say that at some point the hoplophobes at the Brady Bunch will use this nonsense against gun owners. it is bad enough that we cannot keep/sign/frame a high/low score target to avoid having an attorney use that against us in court should we have to use a weapon to defend ourselves. If we shoot well- we are 'experts and should have performed differently, if we barely passed the test (CHL)- the n we are incompetent and should never have been issued a license or owned a gun. Ditto for the scores on the CHL license course tests.. necessitating a Pass/Fail result. Engaging may be good to attract new shooters, but be careful of WHOM you attract. The next mass shooting with some idiot made up like a ZOMBIE will make a big splash in the media. And, as you may have noticed, some of the photos of these people look too much like zombies anyway.. Just sayin'.. since I am against any and ALL ZOMBIE associations with shooting and gun owners. but then.. i am old and grumpy and an NRA Benefactor. I remember when the FINE guns were Damascus steel and black powder.
Thanks for reading and your comments, Fatboy46. I guess that we will have to simply agree to disagree. I hold that if our industry, our sport, and our rights are to survive- the image that we must denigrate is that shooting and gun ownership are only for the old and grumpy and that having any fun at all with it is not allowed. I say that zombies and werewolves and vampires and even the tooth fairy are welcome- as long as they continue to bring people who want to learn how to use a gun properly and responsibly, and learn to apply their critical thinking skills to the problem of self-defense. Thanks again.