Jemputan Menembak Rejimen 503 AW

Jemputan Menembak Rejimen 503 AW

The title reads ‘Regiment 503 AW Shooting Invitation’. AW is a short form for ‘Askar Wataniah’ a special name for Malaysian Army Reserves.

In Malaysia, owning firearms is prohibited unless by special reasons like if you own a big farm or agricultural land, or if you are very rich ( high risk and need protection ) or if you are a VIP such as political leaders and so on. Even that, some can only acquired hand guns and shot guns. Forget about owning an assault rifle even with modification to shoot semi-auto only, like in the US.

Ordinary people like me ? Even crossbow and air-powered weapons also not allowed to have. Recently all air powered weapons including air-soft and paint-ball markers have to be handed over to the authority. Using them is allowed only under special condition and with licence/permit.

 ARMS ACT 1960 AKTA SENJATA 1960 - MALAYSIA

"ARM" Means any lethal barreled weapon of any description from which any shot, bullet or missile can be discharged, or which can be adapted for the discharge of any shot, bullet or other missile, and any weapon of whatever description designed or adapted or which can be adapted for the discharge of any noxious liquid, gas or other thing, and includes an air gun, air pistol, automatic gun, pistol and any component parts of any such weapon, and any accessory to those weapons designed or adapted to diminish the noise or flash caused by firing the weapon"

I found some info here regarding the need of permits for paint-ball markers https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/383213

So for me, having a chance to handle and shoot live rounds out of an assault rifle is really a chance of a lifetime. The weapons that were given for us to try are M16A1 and Steyr AUG A1. But I only tried one weapon, my favorite assault rifle, the legendary M16A1..

It started in the morning with briefing on the weapon characteristic, the way to handle and use, and safety, efficiently  done by the regular member of the AW.

Later on, after some refreshments, we were instructed to collect bullets and magazines. Below picture showing me inserting bullets into the 30 rounds magazine.

After that, we went to collect the rifle, before we lie down into the shooting position at the shooting range, no one is allowed to snap the magazine into the rifle yet. Picture below is me holding the rifle. The loaded magazine is on the ground. Another rule is never to point the gun at anyone, even without the magazine attached.

If I insert the magazine at the position where I was standing in the picture, those army guys on duty will not hesitate to jump on me and bring me flat to the ground. For safety you see, because the metal piece in my hand is a killing machine, capable to take out just anyone nearby.  My feeling at that time….. I would say it’s a mix of excitement and scary at the same time.

One thing I regret was wearing sports attire as instructed with no protection to my elbows. Both my elbows were position on the ground during shooting. The hard ground left my elbows with cut and bruises at the end of the day. It also cause some inaccuracy in my shots.

But one thing I feel satisfied was, I actually can shoot.  May be not headshot but bringing target or enemies down at 200 meters with only iron sight should not be a problem. But those army guys are so much better.  Well,  that’s what they do…..