AO Sword Academy’s Director of Training, Jeff Johnsgaard, is presenting our premiere new offering in the Gunfighter track: Gunfighter Virtuosity. This course integrates a phenomenal range of disciplines and skills into a comprehensive, unified approach to surviving and succeeding in a self defense scenario. Jeff’s groundbreaking work developing his CAR system (featured in John Wick) into the 360CQD system has produced tremendous results and garnered attention from many professional firearms instructors and LE/MIL agencies worldwide. AO Sword is blessed to have Jeff as our our Director of Training, and we have already enjoyed delivering great training since he joined us in 2021.
Gunfighter Virtuosity
While the next Virtuosity course will be presented in Tacoma, WA on Feb 4-5, 2023, we will be bringing this course to San Diego students this Spring or Summer if there is enough interest – we have a potential date available the last weekend of May, or first weekend of June. Please contact us immediately if you’re interested, at training@aosword.com
David, Kate and Maggie love their new Defender Max!
Although it is obviously not a firearm, a side-by-side utility or sport vehicle has a very close relationship to shooting sports, as it provides easy access to the fields and spaces so many hunters and outdoorsmen frequent when they adventure. From getting to the field to retrieving a harvest, or transporting your long range rifle gear and going back and forth from the shooting position to the target stand, a utility vehicle makes many challenging tasks much, much easier. David recently purchased a 2023 Can Am Defender, and after owning many machines from almost every major manufacturer, he’s deeply impressed.
The six-seat 2023 Defender Limited Cab from Can Am features a welcome new door design, allowing the windows to roll down all the way into the doors. The cabin also features significantly more glass, providing greater visibility as well as a more open feel inside. However, as is often the case with a first-year model, there have been some growing pains, and some owners of the new Defender Cabs have found that one or more of their windows do not roll down all the way. Here’s the easy fix walkthrough, from your friendly neighborhood Gunsmith at AO Sword Firearms (naturally?).
This 2023 Defender Max Limited Cab window won’t roll down all the way
This brand-new 2023 Defender Max Limited Cab right rear window won’t roll down more than about 2/5 of the way – it is blocked by something solid. All the rest of the windows have no issues rolling up and down through the full range of travel. It was received this way from the dealer, and upon calling the dealer to ask for assistance, they had never heard of the issue before and didn’t have any suggested remedy.
Door Outer Trim Panel removal – front bolt (lower left of frame)
These two photos show the three star-drive bolts that secure the body-colored outer trim panels to the door. The first one is a long bolt in the leading edge of the door. The other two are at the rear of the door. On our machine, these bolts were color-coded black, differentiating them from the zinc-colored screws that secure the door interior panel assembly, window track, and other hardware. I strongly recommend against touching these screws, as they are secured on the other side with lock nuts that are captured by the plastic in the door. If you accidentally spin these too far, you’ll strip out the door itself.
Door Outer Trim Panel removal – rear bolts (see the two open holes in the rear of the door)Sliding the outer trim panel off the door handle
Once the three bolts are removed, carefully pull the top of the trim panel directly away from the door with gentle, continual pressure. There are three locking tabs that mount directly into the door – pull directly outward, without any upward or sideways movement to avoid breaking the tabs. You should hear them pop out without too much force. The panel will be free, but bound up by the door handle. Pull the panel out and back, allowing the door handle to move around in its slot to make room for the panel to slide out.
The cause of the Defender Max Limited Cab window block – the door trim panel tabs are not fully inserted into the lower door panel slots.
The above photograph is staged to show the cause of the Defender Max Limited Cab’s window being blocked from rolling down all the way. With the new door design comes a learning curve on the factory assembly line, and some units are slipping out with an assembly error. The second mounting tab under the door trim panel was not properly fed into the slot on the lower door. This resulted in the lower door being pushed inward, under the window itself.
“There’s yer problem.”
With the door trim panel off, the issue is obvious. The lower door panel has been warped into this concave shape from the inward pressure of the misplaced door panel. I began wondering if I was going to need to use my heat gun to help the plastic get back to its original shape, but this proved unnecessary. Properly aligning the tabs into the slots gives the door enough mechanical correction that everything functions as it should.
Panel tabs in proper alignment
In order to get the tabs in proper alignment, you must first thread the door handle back into the upper trim panel. Once the handle is through the slot, manipulate the panel from above and below until all three tabs shown are in alignment with the slots. Drop them down, make one final check as above, and then go ahead and press the upper retention clips back into the door frame. Replace the three inner bolts to secure the outer trim panel, and you’re done!
A quick fix for an awesome machine! The window now rolls all the way down, as it should.
This is the only issue we’ve had so far with the 2023 Defender, and it is a simple assembly error, easily fixed by the end-user. The overall build quality, comfort, and most importantly, versatility and off-road capability of this machine is excellent. It evokes the Cadillac-like ride quality of our Can Am Maverick over rocks, ruts, and uneven terrain. With its fully enclosed cabin and effective air conditioning, we will enjoy year-round use of every corner of our ranch, in comfort.
Exclusive training opportunity – two day course or pick one day if your schedule is tight! We are very excited to get back to firearms instruction as relaxed Covid restrictions have opened up our ranges. We didn’t waste the downtime – we have now brought aboard SPD Detective Sgt Jeff Johnsgaard from Natural Tactical Systems as our new Lead Instructor! Join David Chong and Jeff on the range in October for one of our limited number of spaces in this top-tier course for intermediate to advanced shooters.
Jeff is world-famous for his reality-based, highly effective training methodology. His 360° CQD compressed shooting platform (as seen in “John Wick”) is a fantastic tool for extremely close quarters defense. Jeff’s lofty credentials include Police College Instructor, Canadian IADLEST Nationally Certified Instructor, Force Science certified Advanced Specialist, Canadian Director of the RBTA, and widely published in IALEFI, ILEETA, Calibre Press and Blue Line magazines. Call the shop or email ASAP to reserve your spot in the training! The training will be conducted at a private range near Alpine, just minutes from the shop.
Day 1: The Science of Optimal Self Defense Our first day will be spent presenting you with the exciting and effective reality-based Natural Tactical Systems methodology, which will radically improve the way you approach *all* of your training and study in life – in firearms and beyond. Using the foundational approach of world-renowned RBTA Founder Ken Murray, you will discover how to identify, sharpen and retain the critical aspects of your skillsets. Through range time and coaching along with discussion and exploration of methodologies, you will literally train yourself to train yourself better.
Day 2: Introduction to 360CQD On Sunday, you will learn the foundational and functional techniques of the 360° CQD (Close Quarters Defense) system, which is an array of shooting positions and presentation techniques that are extremely effective in ultra-tight spaces and close quarters, such as inside vehicles or in close contact within interior passageways. 360° CQD is founded upon the “CAR” (Center Axis Relock) system which was pioneered by Paul Castle and made famous in the “John Wick” movies. After inheriting the system from Mr. Castle, AO Sword Lead Instructor Jeff Johnsgaard expanded and improved upon the CAR system to create 360° Close Quarters Defense. Students will learn, practice and apply these highly sought after techniques in practical applications on the range.
This class is appropriate for intermediate through advanced students, including professionals, military, and LE. Basic firearms safety and practical proficiency with a handgun is required, including draw from holster and fundamentals. Students advised to bring a minimum 200 rounds of ammunition per day, with ammo available for purchase on site (first come, first served – COVID has greatly limited ammunition supply, and it is expensive).
Please contact the shop to reserve your spot in one or both classes – there are limited spaces and we expect to sell out.
AO Sword Firearms 929 E Main St, El Cajon 92021 619-749-4867
This is part 2 in David’s Firearms Blog series, “Preparing a Family for 4 Days of Rifle Marksmanship” in which he discusses his process of preparing 5 shooters of varying ages and experience levels for a 4-day training course.
As I write this, I have just over five weeks left to prepare my shooters for the 8th Annual Firearms Charity Course. While that might sound like plenty of time on paper, I would wager that if you asked any precision rifle competitor how they felt about a five week window to get a new target rifle system through the build, zeroing, testing, ammo load development, DOPE*, and break-in, they would laugh at you in mockery. That’s simply not enough time, unless this is a professional endeavor and you don’t have a day job to hold down.
*DOPE – Data on Previous Engagements A data set (usually recorded in a written table or hashed out on a rifle’s elevation and windage knobs) expressing the holdovers required for known distances, under known conditions, with a given ammunition type. The data is developed by methodically shooting the rifle and observing the ballistics.
In addition to building a new rifle and getting it set up, I’ve got to assemble an accessory set for the gun (the “kit”), including magazines, sling and mounts, bipod, belt, appropriate mag pouches, field cleaning and tuning tool sets, and more. Lastly – just in case we’ve lost sight of the size of this mountain – I’ve got to do that for five complete systems, four of them for people with different eyes, hands, reach, size, strength, and experience. This is a marathon-sized task, and I’m going to have to sprint the whole way.
With the fundamental question of, “what rifles will we shoot?” answered (see the first Blog entry), now I can progress to ironing out the details of those rifles and the rest of our family’s kit. While I still have over a month of prep time left, I also want to take stock of what other needs we might have in addition to one rifle and kit per shooter. I don’t want to hyperfocus on the rifles for four weeks and then realize that it’s too late for everyone to order other equipment we’ll also need.
In order to chart a good course, we’ve got to know where we are headed. Here’s the course requirements and recommendations straight from Front Sight Firearms Training:
The weapon must be fully functional, have all factory-installed safety devices intact, and have no dangerous modifications (such as a “hair” trigger, removed trigger guard, etc.)
The weapon`s caliber must be a rifle round of at least 5mm/.204 or larger and have an attached sling. An appropriate sling may be used for stability of hold during the course.
The weapon should be able to hold a 7″ or less group at 350 yards with factory match or hunting grade ammunition and can be semi-automatic, a bolt gun, lever gun, or pump action.
The weapon must have a stock, not a wrist or forearm brace, as the rifle will be mounted to the shoulder throughout the course.
Electronic hearing protection is mandatory and is available at the Axil store inside the Front Sight Pro Shop or numerous retailers.
Elbow and Knee pads are strongly recommended.
Iron sights, red dots, and magnified optics can be used. (As there is limited zeroing time, you will have to have any sights or optics already mounted, and cannot change them out during the course.)
Easily carried rest such as a monopod, bipod, tripod, bag rest or monopod.
Some type of magazine pouch/ammunition carrier on the belt is strongly recommended.
A lightweight dust mask and a handkerchief/bandana are recommended.
Do NOT bring shooting mats, rangefinders, Kestrels, or Ballistic Calculators. Tracking Point rifles can only be used in Suppressive or Traditional Mode.
Your choice of factory match or hunting grade ammunition should be chosen according to the twist rate of the barrel. If you are unsure about the twist rate, it may be stamped on the barrel, in the owner`s manual, or you can contact the manufacturer. If you are unsure about the appropriate bullet weight, but do know your caliber and twist rate, please contact the Ammo Bunker.
Notable is the directive not to bring shooting mats and rangefinders. Those are a part of my standard precision rifle kit; by their exclusion, I presume we’ll be ranging the old school way. That’s a good thing. We’re also limited to commercial ammo, so there won’t be any need for handloading and working up custom loads for accuracy. That was part of my initial reasoning for selecting 6.5 Grendel – I only have 3 varieties of ammo for it, so it’ll be a short process to find the one each rifle likes and stick with it.
From the list, I see that I need to get three of my family members shopping for elbow and knee pads, and advise them to pick the shemagh (tacti-cool scarf, see photo below) of their choice from our collection. There’s a myriad of other advance arrangements to be made including lodging, 5 days of proper attire, snacks, personal items, and much more, but that is beyond the scope of this Blog.
We have at least a dozen shemagh scarfs laying around the house.
It’s getting late and I’ve done more writing than prepping today, but I did manage to take one major step that I’ll share as I close. Having laid out a general plan of action for the rifles we will use (see Blog Entry 1), I now have to scrounge up glass (scopes) for the handful of AR platforms and a Vepr that I’ve selected. We’ll make it five ARs total, so that we have a backup platform or two – I’ll probably bring my Ashbury Precision Savage 6.5Grendel bolt gun for backup, as well.
“Scrounge up glass” is my euphemism for begrudgingly pulling six or seven high quality riflescopes currently mounted on my favorite rifles, and temporarily devoting them to these rifles that didn’t exist in my inventory last week. I believe quality scopes are necessary because the course of fire specifies a pass/fail of 7″ groups at 375 yards and 1″ groups at 100. In order to equip my family for success, I want the scopes to be accurate, have solid and consistent adjustments, and be FFP (First Focal Plane) lenses so that my newbie shooters don’t have to deal with reticle scaling math. I want to be able to issue common tutorials and range assistance, so I want everyone’s scopes to have the same mechanics (MIL reticle/MIL turrets as opposed to MOA/MOA or mixed, as some mediocre scopes offer). These criteria collectively describe high-end scopes, and I can’t just devote another $12,000 to new glass for this class so the ones I already have must be repurposed.
Most of the criteria above are self explanatory, but the FFP bears specific discussion. With a traditional second focal plane optic, the size of the reticle etched into or superimposed over the glass remains consistent in size, while the objects in view change in apparent size as the shooter zooms in and out. This means that the effective distance between the reticle’s hash marks is different depending not only upon the distance to target (as with any magnified optic), but also differs based upon the level of zoom dialed into the scope. This requires the shooter to maintain an entirely higher level of discipline to keep track of their current zoom setting, and also requires additional math computations in their head to calculate reticle scale. On a timed course with results scored and recorded, removing these extra complications for a new shooter is a blessing.
Top to bottom: Nikon Black FX1000 6-24x, Riton Conquer X7 4-32x, Sightmark Pinnacle 5-30x, and two Sig Sauer Tango 4 3-17x
One of the scopes I pulled from another rifle is on a high quality QD (quick detach) mount from Samson, and I saved my zero and mounting data from its donor rifle. That way, I can put it right back on its customary rifle after the training course, and quickly return it to zero. This platform portability is one of the best features of high quality one-piece mounts – you can put one $1,000+ scope to good use on more than one of your rifles, so long as you are diligent about recording your zero settings and mounting data for each platform served. This experience did teach me that I need to invest in some more of these one-piece cantilever mounts. For most shooters with a handful of rifles it isn’t relevant, but for those of us who have multiple safes full of long guns and lacking $100K to burn on a bunch of scopes, it is a very useful tool.
To round out the seven scopes, I have two more on the way from my distributors. After having great experiences with previous Burris and US Optics models, I have wanted to try out the new Burris XTR III and US Optics TS20x. Although I can’t buy seven new scopes, picking up just a couple with the mostly-valid excuse of professional product testing and evaluation – while spending quality time with the family – should certainly pass muster with my wife, right? Right? Please say yes, honey… I’m sorry.
That’s all for tonight. I have to go do some dishes. – David
Each year, AO Sword Firearms supports Lance Reeter’s Firearms Charity Course (http://charitycourse.gives/). In addition to material support and donations to benefit the attendees in the charity raffle, David and his family all attend together, enjoying the camaraderie as well as the family-friendly training.
This year, the Chong family decided to forego their typical work on the handgun ranges to try out the newly-introduced 4-day Rifle Marksmanship course. Preparing all five family members for the unique niche of precision shooting in the short- to intermediate-range is an interesting challenge, even for a gunsmith, professional instructor and retail firearms dealer. In the weeks leading up to the Charity Course on March 5th 2021, David is going to share his preparation experience in a blog series here on www.AOSword.com
I naturally act as the concierge for our family whenever we go on a “Gunventure.” The Firearms Charity Course is no different; each year, I set up my wife, daughter and two sons with their own range bags, verify everyone has all their equipment provided and in working order, and set up their firearms for their personalized preferences and experience levels. I also provide preparational training, guidance, and even psychological strategies to set the family up for a good time.
The job is a big one, and takes weeks of frenzied work. Have the preteens outgrown their gun belts? Does everyone have mag pouches that fit this year’s handgun of choice? Is everyone’s handgun fit and customized to suit them? Do we have to order equipment? For those of us running optics; are your batteries working and do you have extras? What do you mean you’ve decided Springfield XD’s suck one week before the class? You were a Distinguished Graduate from the course last year with your XD! For the last time, does EVERYONE HAVE AMMO?
The newly-offered 4-day Rifle Marksmanship course is a change for our family. We are impeccably well kitted for handgun courses, and we practice regularly with our gear. Similarly, tactical carbine is second nature to us, and we have personalized semiauto rifles in practical CQB configurations as far as the eye can see. I enjoy long distance shooting, so I have several .30cal and larger rifles meant for reaching out to 1,000 yards and beyond. The new course, however, concentrates on close to intermediate distance targets, with the longest shots only stretching out to about 375 yards.
Just about any tactical rifle worth its weight in the range bag will drop silhouettes at these intermediate distances. However, for timed- and tested performance on bullseye targets, even a match-grade 5.56 just isn’t going to get you the kind of 400 yard groups that a fast, heavier bullet in the 6mm range or larger will do without breaking a sweat. In a light 10mph cross-breeze, at 400 yards this is the difference between 2 feet of windage (sideways wind drift of the bullet on the way to the target) vs only 1 foot. That’s much less to compensate for in real world conditions.
By this measure, I could opt to put the whole family behind 6.5 Creedmoor or .308Win precision rifles. If energy is everything, we could even bring out the 30-06, 300WinMag, 338 Lapua Magnum, or 416 Barrett. However, it turns out energy is not everything. For example, while my youngest son has shot all of these at least once, he and his 100lbs body would not appreciate 260 rounds of 338LM over 4 days behind our Barrett MRAD. My wife, brave and long-suffering of my shenanigans though she is, would simply opt out after a few evolutions trying to hold the M25 Whitefeather on target, offhand.
I did my best to research the course of fire for the Rifle Marksmanship class at Front Sight. While the actual course of fire is unpublished, a prior attendee mentioned that part of the test involved standing offhand shots at various ranges, as well as from the knee/sitting. Offhand rifle is an important skillset, but not a technique I would employ or enjoy with a typical long range precision rifle setup. I do, in fact, have several high quality and/or collectible competition rifles specifically set up for match competition including offhand shots, but because I am more interested in introducing my family to practical precision rifle skills vice competition skills, those are not the rifles I would choose to equip them with.
The combination of mixed shooting disciplines in the course of fire as well as recoil considerations for my family eventually led me to choose an excellent short action caliber well suited to target work out to 1000 yards and beyond, while offering minimal recoil: the 6.5 Grendel. Better still, the 6.5 Grendel is a great fit in an AR15 platform, giving my tender shooters the additional recoil reduction of a gas-operated gun. Unlike a bolt-action rifle, which transmits all of its recoil energy through the locked bolt into the shoulder of the shooter, a semiautomatic gas-operated rifle uses much of that recoil energy to cycle the action, reducing the perceived recoil impulse.
The good news is, I have plenty of AR15s. The bad news is, I only have two of them chambered in 6.5 Grendel, and only one of those is really a good match for intermediate range work (the other is more of a benchrest gun for 1000 yard precision work). Well… there are 5 of us, and we’re all in this together, so it’s up to Daddy to get five 6.5 Grendel target rifles up and running, plus a backup platform or two so that nobody gets sidelined if something unforseen happens.
I’ll let you know how I’m doing in a few days. – David
Today, 12/14, is the last day to purchase firearms and take delivery in time for Christmas! We will close early on Christmas Eve, so get in before 2PM if you’d like to put a gun under the tree for yourself the elf!
Also please be aware that AO Sword Firearms will have a brief closure in the middle of the day on Tuesday, 12/15, from 1:30-2:30. The new California Covid lockdown busted our plans for a staff Christmas Party, so we have adapted and improvised to give our team a little Christmas cheer with an hour lunch to relax together during the Essential Business day. Sorry for any inconvenience; please schedule your visit accordingly on Tuesday.
When transporting a handgun in a vehicle, California law requires the firearm to be secured, unloaded, in a “locked container.” But what does that mean in practice? At the time of this writing, we are seeing daily videos of shocking acts of violence against random drivers by mobs around the country. Just up the coast from San Diego, in Santa Monica, a June 2020 cell phone video documented a mob pulling random drivers (including an elderly man) from their cars and beating them. For those without CCW permits, there have been many questions from the public regarding legal transportation of handguns while in their cars.
To answer this question, we need to look at both CA state and ATF federal laws.
A device that, when installed on a firearm, is designed to prevent the firearm from being operated without first deactivating the device;
A device incorporated into the design of the firearm that is designed to prevent the operation of the firearm by anyone not having access to the device; or
A device incorporated into the design of the firearm that is designed to prevent the operation of the firearm by anyone not having access to the device; or
A safe, gun safe, gun case, lock box, or other device that is designed to be or can be used to store a firearm and that is designed to be unlocked only by means of a key, a combination, or other similar means.
Zip ties, rope, and string do not meet this definition. [18 U.S.C. 921(a) (34)]
Under California law a concealed handgun can legally be transported with a motor vehicle without a permit only by carrying it:
Unloaded
Locked in the vehicle’s trunk or in a separate locked container other than the utility or glove compartment
If the vehicle does not have a trunk, it must be carried in a “locked container” separate from the utility or glove compartment.
Penal Code Section 12026.1 defines “locked container” as a secure container that is fully enclosed and locked by a padlock, key lock, combination lock, or similar locking device. Locked container does not include the glove compartment or utility compartment.
Ammunition cannot be attached to the handgun in any manner. Under most circumstances, a firearm is considered loaded when there is a live round of ammunition “…in, or attached in any manner to, the firearm, including, but not limited to: in the firing chamber, magazine or clip thereof attached to the firearm…” For example, a semi-automatic handgun with an empty firing chamber and a loaded magazine inserted in the magazine well is considered loaded. There is no prohibition in the state codes against also carrying ammunition within the same motor vehicle or compartment in the vehicle, as long as the firearms are not loaded and ammunition is not attached in any manner to the firearm. – Penal Code Sections 12025, 12026, 12031.
“Utility compartment” is not defined in the Penal Code. A handgun should not be transported in the center console (even if locked) or in the storage area present behind the rear seat in most hatchback type automobiles. Because of the uncertainty in current California law, it is inadvisable to use the various storage compartments found in sport utility vehicles.
While it is legal in California to carry an unloaded handgun in plain sight in the passenger compartment, it is not advised. It can lead to unfavorable attention and an encounter with the police. If the gun slips between the seats or otherwise out of sight, it is no longer “in plain sight” and therefore illegal.
Penal Code Section 12026.2 states that carrying a handgun in your car even in a locked container is only for the purpose of transporting from one specific location to another (going to the range, going hunting, etc.). It is illegal to carry a firearm without a permit, even in a locked container in your car, for general purposes such as self-defense.
These requirements for handguns also apply to the transportation of “assault weapons” and .50 BMG rifles.
When driving a motor home, it is treated as a motor vehicle and all requirements listed above apply.
One important takeaway from these laws is that a “locked container” is not strictly defined other than its attributes. While we are not attorneys and therefore not qualified to offer legal advice, we can say that on the face of it, the Penal Code does not rule out soft sided cases. It does however rule out carrying a locked firearm around without a specific destination; it cannot be transported continuously for the purposes of self defense per PC 12026.2. So, if you are carrying it to and from home and work, to and from the range, gunsmith, or any other location where it is legal to possess and carry the firearm, it is acceptable under the code. On the other hand, it would be hard to rationalize transporting a locked firearm to and from the grocery store. See PC 25505-25655 for a list of the specific exempted activities and destinations.
With many recent first-time purchasers surprised by the identification and documentation required to purchase a firearm in CA, we have provided this step-by step list of the items you’ll need before you come down to the store. If you do not have these items with you (emailed copies of qualifying bills are accepted), you will not be able to start your background check.
CA requires specific, current, accurate documentation in order to process a firearm purchase.
To buy any gun in CA, you need a valid CA ID with your CURRENT ADDRESS on it.
Look at your ID. If the top right corner says FEDERAL LIMITS APPLY, you must also have a Passport, Green Card, or US Birth Certificate
If your ID has the wrong address, you need a current/valid document from the GOVERNMENT with your current address.
Car Registration
Municipal Water Bill
CA DMV Driver’s Record Printout
CA Fishing or Hunting Permit, if it includes your address
If you made it this far, you can buy a rifle or shotgun
If you want to buy a HANDGUN, you also need a second proof of residence at your current address.
Any physical services like utilities can work. If your license has your correct address, you can use your vehicle registration or other item from the previous list as your second proof of address.
Can use a recent bill from Water, Cable/Internet, SDGE Power, Mortgage or Deed to house, etc.
Can’t use insurance, federal tax, VA, medical, etc.
You’ll need to have a CA Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC).
You may obtain an FSC here by paying $25 and taking a 30-question True-False/Multiple Choice test. You can miss up to 7 questions and still pass. $26 laminated. The FSC is good for 5 years from the date of issue. Lost cards might not be replaceable, so be sure to keep track of it!
MILITARY
EXEMPTION: if you are active duty stationed here, you need your military ID,
copy of your orders with PCS (not TDY) to CA, and one bill or piece of mail
tying you to an address in California.
In order to maintain our highest levels of service to our clients while also providing for the health and safety of our team members, we will be closed on Mondays for the next few weeks. [ NOTE: As of May 2020 we are back on our normal Monday – Saturday schedule]
We have faced quite a bit in the past two weeks as a community. Amidst the unprecedented national actions of social distancing, economic shutdown, and stay-at-home orders, we confronted radical politicians head-on in the media, leading the fight to ultimately obtain the “Essential Business” designation for the Firearms Industry from the Trump Administration, the DHS, the County of San Diego, and the City of El Cajon. As a result, we’ve been able to serve thousands of customers over the past three weeks – including our nation’s military and local law enforcement – with the very essentials of our protected 2nd Amendment rights.
It has been an overwhelming flood of work, and we are blessed, proud, and thankful to serve you, our clients, guests, and neighbors. Taking Mondays off will allow our team members a well-deserved reprieve from almost three straight weeks of double overtime, ensuring guns and ammo continue to flow into the hands of our community’s law-abiding citizens who have – now more than ever – sought to protect their lives and their families with the equalizing tool of a gun in the hands of a good person.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you, and we appreciate your grace in waiting a day if you happened to be scheduled for a pickup on a Monday. We will be happy to serve you on Tuesday!
AO Sword Firearms provides an essential service to the community in the area of public safety and security, and is therefore open during the COVID-19 stay-at-home order. We have the utmost concern for the health and welfare of our staff and clients, so we have implemented several controls in accordance with the State and County social distancing orders:
No more than 6 guests in the store at one time.
Chairs placed 6 feet apart have been provided for the line outside; please maintain the 6′ space between people by order of the Health Department.
Cleaning and disinfection of public areas is occurring frequently.
Employee accommodations have been made to preserve their health.
We have also made some operational changes during this unprecedented rush. We are currently closing the line at 4PM on weekdays and 2PM on Saturday. No one who joins the line after 4PM will be served. Unfortunately, we are also too busy to answer the phones, now. We are directing our priority to keeping the wait times down as much as possible for those who have invested their time coming to the shop.
Thank you for your patience and understanding during this challenging time. We will weather this uncertain season together, as a community – hopefully with lots of new 2nd Amendment advocates on the other side, now that so many of them have realized a good guy with a gun improves public safety!
