Customer Reviews

Green Eyes and Black Rifles: Warriors Guide to the Combat Carbine

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Earlier reviewers have commented on the author's grammatical mistakes.
They're right.
Some have mentioned the lack of information where the AR15/M16 is concerned.
They're right, too.

On the first aspect, the author's a Soldier, not an English teacher. Something happened to his editor and his daughter had to take over the editing. Maybe he can get these grammar issues fixed for the next edition - maybe not. As it is, there is no confusion whatsoever about what Mr. Lamb is saying, so for me, the grammar isn't an issue.

On the second, there are many books out there that cover this weapon's history in detail. Doing so in this book wasn't necessary, and had Mr. Lamb attempted to do so in this book, it would have detracted from his work.

What Mr. Lamb DOES do, is share tips and techniques that he's learned over the years, and he does it well. He leads you through equipment selection, layout, and usage. He covers practically every malfunction that a carbine is likely to suffer, and he shows you simple and fast ways to clear them. He lists drills that you can do to improve your efficiency. One of the best tips he gives is how to do a proper 'press check' in the carbine.

Earlier reviewers have commented that Mr. Lamb does not write with a 'my way or the highway' attitude, and that his book is pure 'meat and potatoes' information. Those guys are 100% spot-on. No fluff, no filler, just what you need.

This isn't exactly an entry-level book. As he mentions up front, he assumes that the reader already is already familiar with the care and feeding of the AR15/M16. However, if you're just getting into the world of the carbine, he does give some good pointers on features and accessories that you may/may not want in your own weapon, so this book is still a good purchase for you.

I've dealt with ARs for over 20 years, taken classes, etc. and I can tell you that this book is one of the most solid purchases that I've made book-wise.

Bottom line: If you want to further your education in combat weaponcraft, buy this book.

This is a great book about training, equipment and implementation of the weapons systems written from an operators perspective. It is geared towards the person with a good thorough understanding of the weapon systems and tactics. You don't need to be a Special Forces soldier or Navy SEAL to make use of this book, but you need a good grounding in the fundamentals to get maximum benefit from it.

This book is written by a retired Special Forces operator and much of the terminology will be familiar to those with a military background. While the armed citizen will find a ton of useful information in this book, it seems heavily slanted towards military style operations and all out gun fights. This may be more useful for the typical military or police user but the amount of information means anyone who may go into harms way will find parts useful.

I don't want to sound as if there are prerequisites for this book, I think that anyone who picks it up will find a lot of useful information. There are tons of tips and trick to be picked up. The information isn't presents in a 'my way or the highway manner' but from the perspective of 'here are some things that work for me'. This manner of presenting data appeals very much to me because there are always more than one way to do something. One way isn't always going to be the best way and many people have systems that work. There is a great deal of data in the book and it is well worth the price of entry.

This book is a treasure trove of lessons learned through training and combat from a professional career warrior. This book coves the basics giving the reader the why and how to every tactic, technique and procedure. One of the things that make Special Operations Forces so good at what they do is that they have mastered the "basics" in all they do. This philosophy carries over into this work and rightly so! Yes there is more then the "basics" in this book, but this forms a solid foundation to build on and this book does just that. It pounds the fundamentals into you and gives you the philosophy and methods to masters these skills. If you operate an AR15/M4 series weapon system as soldier, cop or prepared citizen then this is the book for you. I also highly recommend Tiger McKee's "The Book of Two Guns" and Jeff Gonzales's book "Combative Fundamentals."

This book is amazing book. You can apply it whether you have just bought an AR for the first time, or whether you've owned one since Vietnam. Very practical I was in the military for a while and thought i knew all the ins and outs of the AR but this booked showed me that you could always learn more. This book doesn't skip over the basics so don't think that it will be over your head. In fact if you have an AR I you should buy this book as a reference, if your about to buy an AR buy this book first and you can build your rifle around the suggestions in the book. I really can't say enough about how great this book is. It has everything from what optics you'll need to the best way to shoot under a car or from cover.

I borrowed a friend's book and was amazed at how much information this book contains. Needless to say, I've since added this text to my library. Mr. Lamb has written a very clear and easy to read text and combined it with some excellent photos. Some of the shooting positions are just amazing and I had several of those, 'why didn't I think of that' moments.

On first glance, I thought that title was a little cheesy. However, after finding out a bit about the author (Mr. Lamb has served in our country's most elite combat unit) and the very meaty information in this book, the title holds up very nicely.

This text should be required reading for anyone deploying a combat rifle in defense of our country, a community, or home.

A big thanks to Mr. Lamb for this excellent book and an even bigger thanks for his service!

If you are Tactical Military and Law Enforcement, buy this book!!!

If you are entry level, you learn the right way on weapon application and manipulation.

If you are mid-level, you might unlearn some habits and apply the practical common sense solutions given by a Veteran.

This book is gold. Chapters on proper cleaning, ballistics, rifle composition, slings, optics, shooting positions, transitions, chamber checks, ammo loading and loadout, and the most important answers to "why" from a Seasoned Veteran.

Buy this book for doctrine and reference- Professional Development.

Magpul's Tactical Carbine I and II DVD's should also be purchased for a solid knowledge base on the Black Rifle's proper use Illustrated for the Professional Development Library.

Green Eyes and Black Rifles Warriors Guide to the Combat Carbine
By Kyle E. Lamb


The title of the book, Green Eyes and Black Rifles Warriors Guide to the Combat Carbine give s a great indication what this book is about. I was deployed in Iraq and armed with a 9mm pistol and was intrigued by soldiers carrying the M-4 carbine. I had the chance to fire a few times. I was impressed with all the new electronic sighting equipment on it and attachments. . I did not know what an ACOG (advanced combat optical gun sight), was or why it had the handle attached from the barrel. When I fired the M-4 it was easy putting steel on target. The M-4 is a lot easier to accurately shoot than the M-16A1. Today, M-4 has as much in common with the M-16 as the Humvee used in Desert Storm compared to today's armored Humvee used in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Reading the book, I realize I know next to nothing about tactical shooting, or maintaining the M-4 weapon system properly. The book is only 214 pages in length but it well written worth reading. This book was born in combat to help soldiers survive in combat.

SGM Kyle Lamb really hits his mark when he shows the different scenarios and positions a soldier might have to take to engage the enemy. I did not realize how important a magazine for your weapon system and how to check for wear and serviceability. Lamb writes one of the biggest causes of jams is the magazine. He numbers and letters his magazines and checks them every time he fires. Lamb also reminds the reader that your life can depend on doing this
Lamb's book is very easy to read and understand. You will truly appreciate your M-4 carbine as a weapon system and fully learn how to use all the accessories that go with it. The reader will learn more about this weapon system than any army field manual. I highly recommend Green Eyes and Black Rifles Warriors Guide to the Combat Carbine by SGM Kyle E. Lamb

I have one regret I wished I was issued an M-4 carbine while in Iraq.

MAJ (ret) Eric Shuler NJARNG
OIF 2004-2005

This is one of those must reads for anyone interested in the AR-15. The information is current. Mr. Lamb's writing style is excellent. The illustrations are very good. Once you start reading it is very difficult to put it down until finished. I like the chapter organization which makes it easy to focus in on a certain aspect for subsequent refresher. Highly recommend

It's important to realize that Kyle's book is a tribute to the operators that first nurtured him in his early years, several of who very sadly lost their lives in Mogadishu. Kyle lived the book's content for over 20 years. He developed many of the techniques on his own and refined many others, and not necessarily from simple flat range static shooting or competition matches but rather while the distinctive crack of the enemies' round s passed by his head - when needed feedback was immediate. And, as Frogman said in his review, Kyle incorporated the knowledge and experience of his fellow operators learned throughout those two decades and practiced successfully in some of the most inhospitable places on earth. Even so, in a world class organization that prioritizes accurate rifle and pistol shooting above all else - and like no one else - Kyle truly has few peers. Even those of us who have had the honor of Kyle's presence and experiencing his warrior psyche first hand reference this book constantly, as do the very busy current operators that still go to work in the war on terror daily. If you carry a carbine at work or play, you need to have this book in your carry-on luggage. Hopefully, Kyle will follow this blockbuster with a sequel on the combat pistol.

While this book has taught me a ton of things I never learned as an infantryman, the Magpul DVD Series teaches everything in this book and then some.

4 Stars because the writing could have been edited a few more times before being published and the pictures are mostly small and a bit on the blurry side.