Author Topic: Gear & YOU: An Illustrated Compendium (TM)  (Read 15258 times)

Offline Vince

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Gear & YOU: An Illustrated Compendium (TM)
« on: November 06, 2009, 04:02:35 PM »
Alright, guys.

Here's the new gear thread.

What we want to see in this thread is as follows:

  • Fresh gear. I mean this in the literal and the hiphop sense.
  • NO CHINESE SHlT
  • Detailed explanations.
  • Good pictures.

For some reason, the previous thread was quite good, and then absurdly bad. I understand that to some people, their gear is sexy or whatever, when in reality, it's not. Call me elitist - somebody has to be that guy, and I'm fine with that. Retasking the thread title should be helpful in guiding the development of the thread once more.

I invite everybody to post their gear, even if it's old and why it works.

The original gear thread (the first 30 or 35 pages or so), was a good example of why Airsoft Arizona was once one of the premier airsoft communities online.

This new thread, will be a good example of why Airsoft Arizona can again be one of the premiere airsoft communities online.

There is going to be much stricter moderation; so keep it on point, professional, germane and informational.

That is all, thank you.
« Last Edit: November 06, 2009, 04:07:20 PM by Vince »


"I was having dinner with Andrew Ho, and he said I should have COL McKnight lead airsofters in mock combat. I said, "That is the gayest idea I have ever heard." - John Lu

Offline Vince

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Re: Gear & YOU: An Illustrated Compendium (TM)
« Reply #1 on: November 06, 2009, 04:03:10 PM »
I like leading by example, so, here's my first submission for this new thread.



This is the Blue Force Gear SOC-C (Special Operations Capable - Convertible) belt and the Mayflower Research & Consulting UW (Unconventional Warfare) chest rig, generation III. I designed this 'loadout' with long duration, high mobility airsoft combat in mind. By that, I mean something I could stand around in all day in 110 degree heat and not be smoked. I have storage for the following :

M4 mags, 7 ea.
Pistol mags, 2 ea.
Radio, 1 ea.
Small GPs, 2 ea.
Suppressor, 1 ea. (depending on mission!!!!!!!!)

I find that the carriage capability of this particular setup is perfect for what I want to do. It holds just enough without being too much.

Let's break it down into it's components.

I'll start with the belt. It's basically the Cadillac, no, the Rolls Royce of PALS belts.

Here's why.



This is the SOC-C belt configured with the SOC-C suspenders and Blue Force Gear's light duty rigger's belt (1.5"). The belt has velcro on the interior so that it adheres to the matching velcro inside the belt cover. I would take some pics of the inside, but, I already took that shit into the garage, so, just use your imagination. It's fully adjustable, which is actually pretty cool. It comes adjusted for like, a 34" waist...I didn't have to adjust it much. OUT OBVIOUSLY, CAUSE I'M FAT! LOL!! You can adjust the rigger's belt and the actual belt pad itself independently of eachother, which is pretty handy. There is also velcro provisions for a Safariland type subload. I plan on exchanging the Fastex buckle for a Cobra buckle.

I really like the contour of the rear pad, and especially it's size. It rides well on the small of the back and distributes the load evenly across your back.

The suspenders have a shock cord yoke as you can see, which is unique to this set of suspenders. Instead of having elastic straps, it has normal straps, with an elastic yoke. REALLY nice.

Attached, from left to right :

Coyote Tactical triple mag shingle
EAG Tactical dump pouch
AAC suppressor pouch
Safariland 6004 (use your imagination)

Let's move onto the chest rig.





This is the Mayflower Research & Consulting UW Gen III chest rig.

The concept is that it's light weight and has 'good enough' durability. It's made from 500 denier Cordura instead of the typical 1000 denier. The entire rig weighs exactly a pound. It has internal retention for four M4 mags. On the exterior, it has the capability to store, from left to right, an MBITR, a small GP, two pistol magazines, some more GP, and another MBITR. It has tabs on the straps for retaining and relocating both antennas and hydration. It has tabs on the bottom too to route the antenna cables down there if you so choose. You can see the h-style harness (it has 2x3" loop velcro on the rear for IFF purposes) in the picture, which distributes the load admirably.

I love this fuckin' thing. It does everything it needs to, and nothing else. It's construction is also fuckin fantastic. The use of 500 denier Cordura is a novel and innovative concept - it's far more than durable enough for my purposes and the weight savings are noticeable and welcomed.

I think the chest rig + PALS belt combination will be the new thing to do in airsoft.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 05:00:00 PM by Guest »


"I was having dinner with Andrew Ho, and he said I should have COL McKnight lead airsofters in mock combat. I said, "That is the gayest idea I have ever heard." - John Lu

Offline HavHav

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Re: Gear & YOU: An Illustrated Compendium (TM)
« Reply #2 on: November 06, 2009, 06:55:41 PM »
Is this airsoft specific? If not, I could post a picture of what I run IRL with some pro's/con's, that might be slightly benificial...
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 05:00:00 PM by Guest »

Offline XavierMace

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Re: Gear & YOU: An Illustrated Compendium (TM)
« Reply #3 on: November 06, 2009, 07:06:38 PM »
So you don't run with any hydration at all?
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 05:00:00 PM by Guest »

Offline busta_cap

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Re: Gear & YOU: An Illustrated Compendium (TM)
« Reply #4 on: November 06, 2009, 07:40:17 PM »
Quote from: "Vince"

I think the chest rig + PALS belt combination will be the new thing to do in airsoft.

I agree, I wish I would have done that back in the day..Mostly the reason behind it is Now that I look back, a chest rig was pointless. The Possibilities were pretty limited on what else you could add to it besides molle pouches, and if you wore a 3day pack or something of the like on it, it was uncomfortable. That and it moves around alot yet is stiff.


So are you wearing a standalone hydration with this?
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 05:00:00 PM by Guest »

Offline Vince

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Re: Gear & YOU: An Illustrated Compendium (TM)
« Reply #5 on: November 06, 2009, 07:50:27 PM »
Quote from: "XavierMace"
So you don't run with any hydration at all?

For airsoft I have a Camelback Ambush I put on, depending on how long the game is. It's packed up with some crap and I couldn't find it.

Quote from: "busta_cap"
I agree, I wish I would have done that back in the day..Mostly the reason behind it is Now that I look back, a chest rig was pointless. The Possibilities were pretty limited on what else you could add to it besides molle pouches, and if you wore a 3day pack or something of the like on it, it was uncomfortable. That and it moves around alot yet is stiff.

Whaaaat?
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 05:00:00 PM by Guest »


"I was having dinner with Andrew Ho, and he said I should have COL McKnight lead airsofters in mock combat. I said, "That is the gayest idea I have ever heard." - John Lu

Offline busta_cap

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Re: Gear & YOU: An Illustrated Compendium (TM)
« Reply #6 on: November 06, 2009, 08:44:29 PM »
Quote from: "Vince"
Quote from: "XavierMace"
So you don't run with any hydration at all?

For airsoft I have a Camelback Ambush I put on, depending on how long the game is. It's packed up with some crap and I couldn't find it.

Quote from: "busta_cap"
I agree, I wish I would have done that back in the day..Mostly the reason behind it is Now that I look back, a chest rig was pointless. The Possibilities were pretty limited on what else you could add to it besides molle pouches, and if you wore a 3day pack or something of the like on it, it was uncomfortable. That and it moves around alot yet is stiff.

Whaaaat?
Had both a RAV and weesatch..both sucked..but then again, I only weighed 130lbs... :D
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 05:00:00 PM by Guest »

Offline Vince

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Re: Gear & YOU: An Illustrated Compendium (TM)
« Reply #7 on: November 06, 2009, 08:54:40 PM »
Quote from: "busta_cap"
Quote from: "Vince"
Quote from: "XavierMace"
So you don't run with any hydration at all?

For airsoft I have a Camelback Ambush I put on, depending on how long the game is. It's packed up with some crap and I couldn't find it.

Quote from: "busta_cap"
I agree, I wish I would have done that back in the day..Mostly the reason behind it is Now that I look back, a chest rig was pointless. The Possibilities were pretty limited on what else you could add to it besides molle pouches, and if you wore a 3day pack or something of the like on it, it was uncomfortable. That and it moves around alot yet is stiff.

Whaaaat?
Had both a RAV and weesatch..both sucked..but then again, I only weighed 130lbs... :D

Neither is a chest rig.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 05:00:00 PM by Guest »


"I was having dinner with Andrew Ho, and he said I should have COL McKnight lead airsofters in mock combat. I said, "That is the gayest idea I have ever heard." - John Lu

Offline Ranger_Robby

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Re: Gear & YOU: An Illustrated Compendium (TM)
« Reply #8 on: November 07, 2009, 01:20:27 AM »
I'll go next...



This is my Eagle Industries CIRAS Maritime in Coyote Brown. Most pouches are Eagle brand, and the others high quality brands and are listed. You can notice the difference in color compared to the real deal. Flyye seems to be the closest, as you can see from the belt and holster, and G&P being the furthest from it with a color closer to khaki, Pantac's being way too dark. Harder to tell the actual difference on a picture then in person. This rig works great for me as it's very adjustable and customizable. I've been playing with the load out depending on the games I go to as to help manage the weight. It's not by any means a heavy carrier, but when you add a whole bunch of shit it can add up. I'm overall extremely pleased and will phase out those copy pouches with Eagle stuff, I didn't want to commit to a shit ton of them if I was going to not like them. That and It was nice to see who had the Coyote Brown closest to Eagle's CB.

The pouches are as follows:
Eagle Double Mag pouches (x3)
Eagle Medical pouch
Eagle GS Pouch
Pantac Modular Assault Pack
Pantac Admin Pouch
Flyye Force Recon Sling
G&P Radio Pouch

Also Shown:
Flyye BLS Belt
Flyye Pistol Mag Pouch
Flyye Seals Drop Leg
G&P Large Accessories Pouch
Icom FS4
VFC HK416


« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 05:00:00 PM by Guest »
Quote from: \"Vince\"
ALRIGHT GIRLS YOU\'RE BOTH PRETTY

NOW SHUT THE **** UP

Offline Toast

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Re: Gear & YOU: An Illustrated Compendium (TM)
« Reply #9 on: November 09, 2009, 04:54:13 PM »
I wanted a CIRAS style carrier without the quick release feature but I wanted to also stay away from the cheap replica stuff so
I had one made by Coyote Tactical. It was made to my measurements so it fits really well too.


Just realised the date stamps are way off!
CT "CIRAS"
2X CT Kydex lined open mag pouches
3X CT double M4 mag pouches
TT MBITR pouch, modified to fit the Icom F4S
CT mini Chuck. Really need to get one in RG but by far one of my favorite pouches.
2X Eagle ind. pistol mag pouches. I can fit single or double stacks in them.
El cheapo patch panel.
RSR defense Roto holster. Basically a Israeli made copy of a FOBUS or SERPA.
CT dump
Camelbak 3L attached to the back panel, will eventually get a pouch I can slide this into.
Paraclete GP pouch.
Overall it's a very nice rig end can even carry more if arrange it right. I even had spare
room at one of the "all day" National Ops carrying spare batteries and some food.
However it does get pretty hot wearing it, especialy with plastic plates which I stopped using with it.

Lately for small skirmishes I've been using this cheap setup using a noname web belt and a Condor MOLLE padded belt.
I use some old surplus ALICE suspenders to hold it up. I just transfer whatever pouches I want to use and wear a standalone
Camelbak with it. It's actaully ALOT cooler when it's hot out but the carrying ability is sure sparce.


I have been thining of building a firstline/secondline setup and it's cool to see Vince posted up one.
I've wanted a rig in Coyote so I might go with a setup similar to that for a "tan" loadout.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 05:00:00 PM by Guest »
"Oderint Dum Metuant"

Offline azsarge

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Re: Gear & YOU: An Illustrated Compendium (TM)
« Reply #10 on: November 09, 2009, 08:57:46 PM »
Quote from: "busta_cap"
Quote from: "Vince"

I think the chest rig + PALS belt combination will be the new thing to do in airsoft.

I agree, I wish I would have done that back in the day..Mostly the reason behind it is Now that I look back, a chest rig was pointless. The Possibilities were pretty limited on what else you could add to it besides molle pouches, and if you wore a 3day pack or something of the like on it, it was uncomfortable. That and it moves around alot yet is stiff.


So are you wearing a standalone hydration with this?

Well, keep in mind that this is simply the latest iteration of a concept that has existed for several years.  

Chest rigs have not been the "in" thing for a few years because of in-theatre requirements for some type of body armor.  Why wear multiple pieces of kit when you can integrate it all into one?

This setup, as shown by Vince, is about as ideal of a kit as one could have for CONUS use and Carbine courses (from which he surely drew some experience while setting up this kit).
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 05:00:00 PM by Guest »

Offline Vince

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Re: Gear & YOU: An Illustrated Compendium (TM)
« Reply #11 on: November 09, 2009, 10:09:50 PM »
It's entirely possible to wear a slick plate carrier underneath one of these things too, again, mission dependent.

Great post, Toast. THAT RHYMES! You can check my shit out this weekend if you'll be at that game. That's probably the 'best' combination of that particular concept - so expect those two pieces (belt sans pouches) to cost about $320...but you'll never, ever bust em....and if you do; you are probably dead. If you're not, you're severely maimed, and when you get out of the hospital, you'll get free replacements.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 05:00:00 PM by Guest »


"I was having dinner with Andrew Ho, and he said I should have COL McKnight lead airsofters in mock combat. I said, "That is the gayest idea I have ever heard." - John Lu

Offline Toast

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Re: Gear & YOU: An Illustrated Compendium (TM)
« Reply #12 on: November 10, 2009, 08:49:01 AM »
Thanks Vince, unfortunately I work this weekend but I'll catch you at one of the games.
I've been looking a Eagle's LE Active Shooter Chest Rig which for under $100 is a great price.
As for the 1st line I hadn't seen one I liked until I saw your write up on the Blue Force.
I'll be looking at that one for sure.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 05:00:00 PM by Guest »
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Offline yammie r6s

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Re: Gear & YOU: An Illustrated Compendium (TM)
« Reply #13 on: November 10, 2009, 10:07:28 PM »
Rangerrobby- that's a nice squared away CIRAS you have!

this is a Tactical Applications Group (TAG) plate carrier- Spartan 2

consisting of:
LBtechnologies -six pack mag pouch
LBtech -203 pouch
SDS -frag pouches
LBtechnologies -IFAK
SDS -100rd SAW pouch
SDS -MBITR pouch
Spectre -hydration carrier
Bulletproof ind. -Armor

Calvary -bowman headset
ICOM -radio
KABAR
70 oz. camelback

and a lot of salt from sweat  :)
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 05:00:00 PM by Guest »

Offline Whiskey11

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Re: Gear & YOU: An Illustrated Compendium (TM)
« Reply #14 on: November 13, 2009, 09:03:53 AM »
I'll take pics of my stuff tonight, but James, is it a Cavalry or Cavalvy headset?  I own the CavalVy headset, is a nice headset (not entirely sure if there is a Cavalry btw) but I've got two issues, both involves cords getting pulled out of the headset... I have since superglued them into place, but it's really frustrating.  My headset is semi-permanetly (Zip tied) attached to the inside of the helmet, it was the only way to make it comfortable for me.  The standard headbands gave me headaches when wearing with the helmet... Anyway, both cords on the headset are pulling out which sucks, but a replacement Calavy headset is only 30$ or so so when they finally do pull out all the way I'll just buy a new one since I have the PTT already.

Anyway, I'll get my USMC pics up tonight.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 05:00:00 PM by Guest »