35UP! Social and Activity Group

This hands-on workshop is a practical, end-to-end walkthrough of the AR-15 platform, focused on reliability, maintainability, and functional setup. The goal is not just to own an AR-15, but to understand it well enough to keep it running, diagnose issues, and configure it to your intended use.

We begin by covering the core components of the AR-15 system and how they work together. This includes the upper and lower receiver groups, bolt carrier group, gas system, buffer system, and fire control components. Emphasis is placed on what actually matters for reliability, common failure points, and parts that benefit most from inspection or upgrade.

From there, we move into a full breakdown of the rifle. Attendees will disassemble their AR-15 to an appropriate maintenance level, identify wear surfaces, and learn proper cleaning techniques for the barrel, chamber, bolt carrier group, and gas-related components. We will discuss cleaning intervals, lubrication points, and product selection—what is necessary versus what is marketing hype.

Once maintenance fundamentals are established, the workshop transitions into setup and configuration. Topics include:

• Barrel length and twist considerations
• Gas system tuning and buffer selection
• Trigger options and tradeoffs
• Stock, grip, and ergonomics for fit and control
• Sling mounting and basic rifle handling considerations

The final portion focuses on accessories and external setup, with a practical discussion of optic and weapon light selection. We cover red dots vs. LPVOs, mounting considerations, zeroing concepts, and realistic expectations for civilian and defensive use. Weapon lights are discussed from a functional standpoint—placement, activation, output, and durability—rather than brand hype.

Throughout the workshop, we encourage questions, discussion, and hands-on interaction. Attendees are welcome to bring their own rifles, parts, accessories, and questions. This is a collaborative, learning-focused environment intended to build confidence and competence with the AR-15 platform.

Purchasing an AR-15 is the easy part. Understanding how it works, how to maintain it, and how to configure it effectively is what turns it into a dependable and accurate tool.

Your home should be the safest place you know, but most break-ins exploit the same handful of predictable weaknesses: an unlocked side door, a dark porch, a window left cracked for the dog. This workshop walks through how to actually assess and close those gaps, plus what to do if someone gets in anyway.

Led by Shep, TruPrep's manager and armorer, who brings a background as a U.S. Marine, former Marietta PD SWAT officer, and retired DHS Air Marshal to a subject he has thought about from both sides of the door. This is a practical, no fear-selling session built around what actually works.

#### What You'll Cover

• Assessing Your Home Like a Burglar Would: Walking the exterior to spot the entry points, blind spots, and habits that make a house look like an easy target.
• Doors, Locks, and Hardware: Deadbolts, strike plates, hinge screws, and the difference between a lock that looks secure and one that actually is.
• Windows and Secondary Entry Points: Garages, sliding doors, and the ground floor windows people forget about.
• Lighting and Landscaping: Using motion lighting and sightlines to remove the cover and shadows that make a property attractive to someone casing it.
• Cameras and Alarm Systems: What monitored and unmonitored systems actually do, where cameras belong, and where they don't help as much as people think.
• Layered Defense: Building security in stages, deter, detect, delay, and respond, so no single failure point puts your family at risk.
• A Family Plan for a Break-In: A simple, rehearsed plan for what everyone in the house does if a door gets kicked in at 2am, including a safe room concept and clear roles for kids.
• Situational Awareness at Home: Reading unfamiliar vehicles, unexpected visitors, and the small pattern breaks worth paying attention to.
• Working With Law Enforcement: What to expect if you call 911 for an active intrusion, and the difference between that and a non-emergency report.

No experience necessary. Come ready to ask questions and leave with a clear, honest picture of where your home actually stands and what to fix first.