TAC-M7-Model I - ArniesAirsoft

Author

rallymad_nad

Registered: January 2005
Location: Sussex
Posts: 561

Review Date: 27/2/06

Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: �80.00 | Rating: 9

Positive aspects of the product (pros):	Built to last, versatile
Cons:

Where to start! Initially I was trying to find an Assault vest to suit my needs, having at the time an MP5. I had seen this about on J-Tech's website through a search. At the time no one in the UK was selling them, the closest was Germany. I couldnt even find a seller anywhere else and WGC was waiting to stock them.

Luckily shortly after looking everywhere, a UK company also said it was waiting to stock them as well, finally a result! I purchased it along with the belt and hydration pack, both reviewed on here.

I went for an assault vest, as I like to travel light and I dont want lots of stuff protruding off my torso. I find stuff gets in the way and makes it harder to crawl around and you always hear of people getting snagged and losing stuff of other vest systems. If I need to carry extra equipment there is plenty of space for it to be strapped to the back or to the belt. Molle pouches are available for the front and there is another vest now available with a Molle rear, rather than ALICE, all discussed later on.

It is adjustable down either side for chest/stomach fitment. I find that unless under tension these like to loosen themselves. The height adjustment is done via the two large straps on the shoulders, adjustable via velcro. Once adjusted it is a really nice snug fit.

The vest itself is made out of a heavy duty mesh, much stronger than the BH offering. The majority of this on the front is covered with pouched or 1000D cordura so will not easily snag. The rest of the vest and pouches are all made of Codura with velcro closings.

The vest has two main panels to the front, shown in the pics with MP5 mag pouches, 4x on each side. The pouches can hold up to two mags each, although I use one only for a slightly less tighter fit. There is elastic retainer inside and outside the pouch to hold onto the mags so they dont move about. M4 mag pouches are also available, which can hold a G36 mag each, so I will be purchasing them as well. They M4 design comes with 3 pouches to a panel. Also available is a cross draw holster or a blank molle panel so you can attach what you wish. All the panels are held in place by velcro and 6 poppers. These will never just fall off!

Just behing each panel on the inside of the vest are map pockets, I keep forgetting about these every time I play and always stick stuff inside my trouser pockets. I will remember one day because the vest is very water resistant so they have more chance of staying dry and unlike most other vests, this wont start soaking up loads of water and become heavier. All pouches have drain holes incase you like going for a swim while playing.

Other standard pouches include a triple mag pouch, I store my car keys and phone here plus one mag, a compass/radio/gps pouch and a shotgun shell pouch which has a removable shell holder so I store my G&P strobe style speed loader in here. There is also an internal hydration pouch at the rear and elastic and velcro holders to run the tube through, as shown in the pics. These are also useful for holding throat mic wires etc. D clips on the soulder area allow for attachment of other desired items. There are also belt loops which shut via poppers to secure the vest to a belt to allow for carrying drop leg systems of dump pouches etc.

The back of the vest has ALICE sections, although most types of Molle etc will fit with the right clips. They have now released a modified version of the M7 now with a full molle back, but for me I think what I have is fine for my needs. There is also a drag handle that looks like it is certanly upto the job, but then that probably depends how heavy the user is!

I find this vest exactly meets my needs. I never get too hot in it, and it always keeps me warm and my core dry. It has plenty of versatility so can be changed around and bits added and taken away without too much trouble. In the long run I feel it will work out cheaper than a normal molle vest because of what you get for you money. The stuff you always need is standard, and that that is changed can be changed and adapted. Going for a long trek, just attach a bum bag or even a full rucksack. The J-Tech version have another hydration pouch in theirs to allow the rucksack to sit on ur back properly. A great vest for every occasion.

There is probably something I have missed out so please feel free to PM me and any relevant information I think of I will add to the review.