Triggers: Weapons That Changed the World

Sat thru several episodes during back to back showings and was amazed at how little the host knows about firearms, ballistics and the history of the firearms they spotlight. The AK47 episode was the worst...just checking a questionable source like Wikipedia would have helped. In brief: The M-14 is NOT an assault rifle. Assault rifles fire an intermediate round, the 7.62NATO/.308 is anything but, it's a full size...full power round and the M-14 can not be controlled by 99% of the world's population in full auto mode. The M16/M4 carbine is not a carbine because it has rails, like the "expert" guest claimed. That's so dumb its funny. Almost ANY military rifle today can have rails attached to it. A carbine is a carbine because of short barrel length, NO other reason. I find it extremely difficult to believe that the "expert" who claimed that fact was a real Navy SEAL. The coconuts he shot didn't fall or explode because he shot them with a "short" round...it because of ballistics, something this show's host and producers have constantly demonstrated they know nothing about. Those "tests" they demo are useless and prove nothing. Shooting a square piece of clay proves nothing. The graphic they use for the M-14 isn't an M-14...it an FN/FAL. They don't even look alike. This show isn't good for anything except watching crap get shot in slow motion and it's disgustingly pitiful how little research and fact checking went into it. But, hey, his hair looks great...

The host and those "experts" who appear on this program seem to have little knowledge or familiarity with the weapons featured. Misinformation is rampant and there is never a truly in depth analysis of the firearms tested. Those tests simply amount to the host-with- great-hair and masculine stubble running about shooting randomly at targets like melons and bottles. The real historical significance of these weapons and their impact on warfare and society is superficially covered at best. More important is showcasing Mr. Willis' skill at causing watermelons to explode in slow motion. According to the show's introduction, he is a veteran of the Army Rangers, Seal Teams, and Air Force Special Ops training. Wow. Not many can claim simultaneous membership in three separate branches of the U.S. military. Somehow, the Marines missed out on having Willis grace its ranks and have probably suffered intensely for that recruitment oversight. A crack shot (multiple retakes) and carefully mussed hair do not alone make for an informative program about weaponry.

I kinda like this 'guy' show. It's a mindless show for 'dudes' to watch who don't have wives, girlfriends or jobs for that matter and are probably hungover. These kinds of shows are the equivalent to gardening or sewing shows for women - it's like shameless, unadulterated junk food for the mind.

Substandard examination of weapons that is simply inadequate for any serious study. Often inaccurate and regularly silly, this is a program for those who enjoy shooting oranges off trees with their .22 rifle. No one familiar with these firearms would take these episodes with a large grain of salt. Besides the host showing off his skills as he runs through a course shooting vegetables and beer cans, there is little to know about the program. There is copious imagery of produce exploding in slow motion. A great deal of bragging. As far as significant analysis and perspective, this never hits the target. Sadly, a truly engaging and academic study has yet to be produced.

Watch Triggers. It is informative, entertaining, fast-paced, knowledgeable, educational, and an historical learning experience. Triggers provides a number of chronological, historical presentations showing the technological and historic lineage of the weapon which is centerpiece of the episode. One gets to see how the various predecessor weapons and related science advanced through time in order to arrive at centerpiece weapon. Of course, there is a number of the obligatory rather fun-filled, enlightening, and instructional shooting demonstrations and contests. These demos and contests are arranged so that the viewer has a rooting interest in the weapon in question. Further, the viewer is primed and eager for the final head-to-head shooting contest using the centerpiece weapon versus an alternative, similar weapon. All in all, in each episode, you'll learn and be entertained. It's not brain surgery, but Triggers is worthwhile. Not bad, indeed.