Suggest a vest and accessories

[cvrfc1326]

Alright, it's time. I've been airsofting for going on 4 years now. Sadly, I've been using the pockets in whatever clothing I'm wearing to store stuff. It's time to change that. I'm getting really tired of trying to fish pistol mags/speedloaders out of my not-quite big enough camo pants. Also, until now, I was primarily a sniper, and my only AEG was a G&G UMP. When I snipe, I can keep everything in the pockets of my top, and they're easily fished out when I need them, since I'm not usually under fire. UMP Mags fit perfectly in the thigh pockets of my pants (trousers, same difference?), and I could remove them easily and not worry about them falling out.

Sorry to bore you all. You're thinking, "OK, so why do you need a vest? Sounds like you're doing fine." The facts are, I'm in the process of adding to my AEG collection, and I'm going to need more storage, that's readily accessed, and comfortable to boot.

The problem is, I've got no idea what I want. I'm not even sure exactly what questions to ask. I've read some different threads around here, so I've got a general idea and I know some acronyms, but that's it. I need some helpful guidance towards getting the right gear. This thread almost should have been posted in the newbie section, but I was hoping to get some top-notch opinions from the experts.

 

Take a deep breath, you're done with the introduction. Here is what is going on. I've just purchased a G3-SG1, and I'm working on getting a G3-SAS. G3's take magazines that just aren't friendly with my current system, plus I need the ability to carry more mags, as well as more stuff.

I'm looking to carry 4 G3 magazines, at the moment. I also need space to carry a 1/3-1/2 full bag of ammo, a cell phone/radio, a spare battery, and some misc. other stuff.

I'm not sure if I want a holster or not. I have a thigh holster that isn't bad, but my pants are currently too short, so it is getting annoying. I currently carry a WE Dragon, but I'm trying to replace that with a KWA USP .45 to give you an idea of the size I need

 

Currently, I think I'm looking for something modular, because I love the flexibility it offers. I'm not going for a specific loadout or anything, I just need functionality at a reasonable price. I do not want real steel super-grade stuff, but I'm not looking for junk that is going to fall apart after one or two uses. I'm trying to get this done for around $100. I prefer buckles/elastic to velcro because our setting is so quiet even during battle, but it's not the deciding factor. I would prefer OD for the color, since I wear flecktarn and play woodland.

 

The only thing I've found that I like I got off a thread yesterday.

http://www.optactical.com/762308magpouch.html

 

So please, help me start off in the right direction. I'd like to thank you all in advance. I spent alot of time typing this out, so I was likely regularly distracted and parts may not make sense. Just ask for clarification and I'll clear anything up.

 

Additionally, I wear flecktarn almost exclusively because it is the most effective for where I skirmish. The pants are too short for me (6'4" wearing regulars ) so I'm thinking about replacing them or sacrificing one of my 2 jackets to make them longer. If there is a place I can find really cheap, used long pants, please inform me.

 

Edited for clarity.

[Jagdraben]

Find an American or Canadian retailer. You'll find one that carries German webbing sets. Buy one. It should have a harness, belt, canteen carrier, and a butt pack.

 

Then, go to ASMC.de or Flecktarn.co.uk and you'll find Flecktarn G3 and UMP mag pouches at one or both. Pick up those in sufficient numbers to carry all your magazines. (And possibly a used German canteen, too.)

 

You might be able to add a universal pistol holster of some variety or another, but military-grade ones will run you close to $100USD in and of themselves. The Bianchi M12 Universal Pistol Holster, for instance, runs at $60USD.

 

EDIT: Flecktarn.co.uk also has used Flecktarn trousers in Long lengths... don't know how 'really cheap' they are for you, though.

[cvrfc1326]

Flecktarn pouches? Definitely worth a look, thanks. Can someone suggest a site for the webbing?

Edit: Found one. Silly me, google.com for all your answers

http://www.globalarmysurplus.com/produits_...id=7&cat_main=2 Like that?

Are there any vests out there that are compatible? This seems to be just a belt, but I'd like to get some stability from some sort of shoulder harness.

 

Just a note, the stuff doesn't have to be flecktarn, that's just what I wear because I got a set off of airsplat ( :'( ) for $16. After wearing them one time, I realized it's perfect for where I play. I'm actually giving serious thought to painting my G3-SG1 to a flecktarn pattern. OD is fine for color.

 

How exactly does the webbing connect stuff? Will it be compatible with MOLLE or ALICE or all that stuff? (No, the answer seems to be.)

 

By the way, Jagdraben, thanks for the fast reply. You were reading it while I was still editing the original, lol.

 

Also, I looked up the trousers on flecktarn.co.uk, and they're 5 pounds (I think, I'm no british money expert). That's like $10, which I can probably scrape up, even though I'm just a college kid.

[Jagdraben]

Flecktarn pouches? Definitely worth a look, thanks. Can someone suggest a site for the webbing?

Edit: Found one. Silly me, google.com for all your answers

http://www.globalarmysurplus.com/produits_...id=7&cat_main=2 Like that?

Are there any vests out there that are compatible? This seems to be just a belt, but I'd like to get some stability from some sort of shoulder harness.

 

It looks like a belt and a harness. It should include the items I listed before.

 

How exactly does the webbing connect stuff?

 

No idea.

 

Will it be compatible with MOLLE or ALICE or all that stuff? (No, the answer seems to be.)

 

It is as it appears to be.

 

By the way, Jagdraben, thanks for the fast reply. You were reading it while I was still editing the original, lol.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

No problem. We'll turn you into a BW geardo yet.

[evansy]

If your going for flecktarn webbing I'd get the basic 5 piece set as well as 2 g3 mag pouches, that way you'll be set for your g3 and 4/5 mags and you said you want a usp .45 which just happens to be the big brother of the gernam armys P8 (aka usp 9mm) so any flecktarn holster should fit a usp no trouble. someone mentioned the Bianchi M12 holster. while it will hold your current pistol you'll probably struggle to get a usp in there easily.

 

You asked if german webbing is compatible with alice/molle. well it is and it isnt, if you dont mind using cable ties to put your pouches on then they'll work and most molle pouches will probably fit on the belt but they'd move because the german belt is about 3" wide unlike alice belts.

 

If you do want flecktarn webbing and want to buy from flecktarn.co.uk you'll probably be looking at about $200 delivered for a set of webbing with 2 mag pouches pistol holster and some used bdu's that price could be wrong tho as the shipping to the US is worked out be weight and I had to guess that part.

 

The cheapest way would be to go to a surplus store and get some alice webbing with it being OD it goes with everything.

If you cut the deviders out of the mag pouches you can fit 2 G3 mags in them.

[cvrfc1326]

I did some searching using the advice you gave me. Here's what I came up with:

Webbing: 20 GBP http://www.flecktarn.co.uk/flwws1na.html

G3 magazine pouches: 2x 10GBP http://www.flecktarn.co.uk/flwmp1nx.html

Pants: 5 GBP http://www.flecktarn.co.uk/flcct1na.html

Total: 45 GBP

 

Am I missing anything crucial? I'm going to hold off on a pistol holster/pistol mag pouch for now because I can only spend so much (though they'll probably find their way to me eventually.) Hopefully I can co-erce someone I play with to get a set, to split shipping.

 

I did know that the P8 was similar to a USP .45, I just wasn't sure of the exact relation. Thanks, evansy.

[Endospore]

You know, the vest you just listed off in that description is exactly what we were discussing in PM's Honestly.

 

It will hold 4 G3 mags perfectly, and it has webbing on the back, so stick a "butt-pack" on the back or some sort of low-profile pouch on the back and you've got it. It has a radio pouch on the left shoulder that sits only inches from your mouth (I actually got to use it last time I played with the vest. The radio pouch actually works really well.). And, if you don't want something on the back of the vest, you can do what I did and just take off a couple of the pistol mag holders on the belt and stick on your own utility pouch. It worked great for me The crossdraw holster (unless you want to use it, of course) can be removed easily, leaving a bit patch of soft-velcro in it's place. There are pouches you can get (or make) that have velcro on the back and can be placed here. Or, like I had planned on doing, you can put some velcro patches there, such as an American flag, or SWAT, or some other thing.

 

Have I sold you yet? Well, I just thought I would let you know that the vest does have more uses than it looks like in the pictures. If you want, I can set it back up like I had it before the pictures and you can see it that way.

 

If you decide to be interested again, let me know!

[Jagdraben]

I did some searching using the advice you gave me. Here's what I came up with:

Webbing: 20 GBP http://www.flecktarn.co.uk/flwws1na.html

G3 magazine pouches: 2x 10GBP http://www.flecktarn.co.uk/flwmp1nx.html

Pants: 5 GBP http://www.flecktarn.co.uk/flcct1na.html

Total: 45 GBP

 

Am I missing anything crucial? I'm going to hold off on a pistol holster/pistol mag pouch for now because I can only spend so much (though they'll probably find their way to me eventually.) Hopefully I can co-erce someone I play with to get a set, to split shipping.

 

I did know that the P8 was similar to a USP .45, I just wasn't sure of the exact relation. Thanks, evansy.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Get the webbing off of that Canadian site. It's cheaper there (being around $30CAD) and will reduce shipping weight for the Flecktarn.co.uk order. Also, have you taken a look at ASMC.de yet? They're based in Germany, so prices for items should be lower, although shipping might be more expensive.

[cvrfc1326]

Get the webbing off of that Canadian site. It's cheaper there (being around $30CAD) and will reduce shipping weight for the Flecktarn.co.uk order. Also, have you taken a look at ASMC.de yet? They're based in Germany, so prices for items should be lower, although shipping might be more expensive.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I haven't looked on ASMC.de. Do I need the shoulder harness thing? Also, is there some place I can buy a large piece of flecktarn fabric. I made a decent (read: shoddy handsewn) rifle rag for my G-spec, but it's starting to fray/come undone. I'm interested in making a new one for myself, this time on a machine. I'd like a piece of fabric that I can lay out and measure etc. instead of the pant-leg I used last time (26in waist, 28in length from when I was 12, they weren't useful anymore).

EDIT: I'm looking on ASMC right now. The prices are better, but I didn't realize how much more valuable the Euro is now

found some material: http://www.asmc.de/product_info.php/info/p...-flecktarn.html

I'm going to put together a cart, and see what I come up with for price. They have the same holsters as flecktarn.co.uk, but they're much cheaper. I'm curious what the shipping cost will be.

 

Alright, I finished my cart. Apparently, if you register you get a discount I got about 14 euros off my order. I'm not going to process it yet, because the shipping alone is 28 euros. I tried deleting the 2 largest items, the flecktarn cloth and web-harness, but neither one changed the shipping cost at all. Here it goes:

German Harness Set (Used): 8.58 Euros http://www.asmc.de/product_info.php/info/p...ktarn-used.html

2x G3 Mag pouch: 22.32 Euros http://www.asmc.de/product_info.php/info/p...-flecktarn.html

P8 Speedholster: 17.20 Euros http://www.asmc.de/product_info.php/info/p...holster-P8.html

P8 Mag pouch: 6.85 Euros http://www.asmc.de/product_info.php/info/p...-flecktarn.html

Flecktarn Cloth: 11.16 Euros http://www.asmc.de/product_info.php/info/p...-flecktarn.html

Flecktarn Pants (used, size 7): 6.86 http://www.asmc.de/product_info.php/info/p...ktarn-used.html

Sub-Total: 72.97 Euros ($95.88)

Shipping: 27.59 Euros ($36.28)

Total: 100.56 Euros ($132.13)

 

I'm considering adding http://www.asmc.de/product_info.php/info/p...-flecktarn.html because it looks rather breathable. If anyone has one, I'd appreciate feedback. I currently use a BHI Tactical Shemagh http://www.blackhawk.com/product_detail.as...duct_id=4126&d=, which is great, but gets rather hot in spring/summer. Adding the scarf wouldn't add anything to the shipping cost, just 7.72 Euros. Is it worth it?

 

Edit: Also, I just remember that I need pants. I understand a lot of everyday German, but I'm not a fashion expert. According to their size charts, I believe I'll be ok with a BW size #7 (33.5x32.3). Is this the right size? Added pants to cart.

 

I appreciate everyone's help.

[Jagdraben]

What's you inseam? If you wear Longs, as I do (6'5") you'll probably want to go for a size 12. They might be baggy, but they ought to be long enough. Also, for measurements, you might consider measuring your actual waist, rather than relying on commercial measurements (which are intended to flatter the customer).

[Skarclaw]

If the shegmah is to hot, just take it off or soak it in water.

 

Thanks.

[cvrfc1326]

What's you inseam? If you wear Longs, as I do (6'5") you'll probably want to go for a size 12. They might be baggy, but they ought to be long enough. Also, for measurements, you might consider measuring your actual waist, rather than relying on commercial measurements (which are intended to flatter the customer).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Alright, excellent suggestion, but they're out of stock. My grandma is rather talented with the sewing machine, so we should be able to modify some 7's to fit with the cloth I'm ordering.

If the shegmah is to hot, just take it off or soak it in water.

 

Thanks.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah, it would save me some $$ as well. I just like having face protection, because I've gotten some pretty nice wounds without it (15ft. auto burst @ above forum limits)

 

I need to e-mail them and see how much cloth I get. Any volunteers to translate, or can I get an english speaking person. I just don't know enough technical german to get the point across.

 

Thanks to all for the help.

[cvrfc1326]

Sorry to necro/double post my own thread, but I have another gear related question. I ordered the P8 holster, intending to get a USP .45. I have since come across a TM Mk23 at a very reasonable price. Would that fit in a P8 holster? (obviously without LAM or silencer)

 

BTW, I get home tomorrow, so I should be able to get some pics up of everything.

[_maverick_]

Where's the pics?? I'm curious to see everything you ordered.

[Skarclaw]

I doubt the mk23 would fit, as they are pretty huge compared to the USP.

[cvrfc1326]

I'll get pics up real soon. I ended up buying a KWA USP .45, which fits. The problem is, the holster didn't come with any straps or anything, just the holster. Also, the mag pouch only fits USP compact magazines, not fullsize ones. I tried e-mailing ASMC.de, but i haven't gotten a response.