Military Surplus

[Morgann0]

So I was in the phonebook yesterday looking for some Military Surplus places, and the only ones I found were either out of buisness, or like a 45 minute drive.  So I figgured I'd ask the people at Airsoft Arizona where the local military shops are.  Please don't suggest online retailers, I have my reasons.  Anything close by.  Isn't there a fatigue shop near the airpark?

[Vince]

Nope.

Re-evaluate your reasons and buy from www.hdesert.com, buying from a store will be more expensive and have less selection.

[PolandsLeftTesticle]

- +1 for HDesert. My order came in two days.

\PLT

[Morgann0]

2 days huh? It dosn't matter now, I probably can't go to Sandstorm because my parents hate airsoft and are way overprotective.  I just like buying from a local retailer so I dont have to wait for shipping, and so I can yell at a manager if my stuff breaks or something...  Ya know, return policies and all that.

[PolandsLeftTesticle]

- Whatever your preference. I got the wrong size gloves and shirt, and we resolved the issue within two more days. They're based in Arizona, so you know, and they were very friendly.

\PLT

[Morgann0]

I'm trying to go to Sandstrom but it don't look good.  I will be at Terror Shade.

[Daytr8er]

There's the military surplus store on the NE corner of 35th Ave and Osborn.  They have quite a bit of new and used cammies, plus they just recently started to sell ACU's.

[mini-support]

Keep in mind that gear is mostly for effect, not a complete necessity. Almost everyone is not geared out totally for their first couple games. So I guess what im trying to say is as long as you have an AEG and the basics, play anyways, gear or no gear, it will come in time.

[Silverman]

Larada's in Mesa is not bad if you're in the east valley.

[-MAD- SARGE]

Ive said it before and Ill say it again, Laradas is not a "surplus" store.  Its become a novelty store with outrageous prices for used crap. And Lately US surplus is starting to become like Laradas  [smilie=armata_pdt_07.gif] Its getting hard to find a good surplus store these days!
Go to Laradas if you like, but Im not the kind of person to pay $35 for a pair of BDU pants that are held together by patches.

Mini is right, you dont need a lot of gear to start out with. You can play with the basics, the more/better gear you have will just make things more user friendly for you is all.

[Viper]

Try places near Bases they usually have better stuff at lower prices. although the only bases I can think of here is Luke AFB and I havent seen any surplus stores except for one in downtown Glendale, but pleasedont ask me for directions because I realyy dont know my way around here.

[andyhinds]

Keep in mind that gear is mostly for effect, not a complete necessity. Almost everyone is not geared out totally for their first couple games. So I guess what im trying to say is as long as you have an AEG and the basics, play anyways, gear or no gear, it will come in time.

+1, I have a stock AEG and relatively cheap gear.  I have two LBV's (one is Mikey's old Blackhawk vest) the other a green LBV from a surplus store.  Both work well for me.  I have a 6004 holster, only because I use the same holster for hunting.

I would recommend one thing though, if you are considering buying some expensive gear, use the search function and ask around.  A lot of guys have bought similar gear and can tell you of the pro's and con's.

[Ares]

i use a lbv from jungle toy the infinity tactical 6 pouch tan. it works fine for me. when i get more money, ill get a plate carrier and molle gear for looks, but for now, that vest, a drop holster and pistol mag pouches on my belt work fine.
the vest holds 6 mags, my tool kit, radio, 3 litre camlebak bladder, leatherman and speed loader. plus theres velcro under the shell carrier for patches

EDIT: can hold 12 mags if the top flap is removed on each pouch. (velcro)

[TimW]

One of the reasons surplus stores have gone the wayside is due to the changes the US government has made in their surplus policies.  For a time, even BDUs were being destroyed versus being surplused, under the misguided notion that the anti-IR reflectivity "coating" in the BDUs would fall into enemy hands....regardless of the fact that much / most of it was washed out of the fabric by the time the BDUs hit the surplus market.