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Post by daehahn on Apr 14, 2015 23:10:55 GMT -5
Hello, I hope this is in the right section. Please forgive me if it is not. Is the economy gear at ATF ok for airsoft? Or would it fall apart easily? It would be nice if someone who actually used this could tell me.
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shiftysgarand
Corporal
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Posts: 1,165
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Post by shiftysgarand on Apr 15, 2015 19:20:28 GMT -5
It's okay for occasional airsoft, but if you don't want to lose grommets in cartridge belts and things like that, I would recommend biting the bullet and buying the real ATF stuff. Then again, I doubt you would be carrying real combat weight (BBs weigh a lot less than bullets) and it would probably hold up for a while, depending on how often you use it.
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Post by insterburger on Apr 15, 2015 20:17:33 GMT -5
I can't speak directly to the ATF stuff, but as a general rule I will say this: Buy the best you can afford, but better to get the lower end stuff than nothing. Whatever will get you kitted out and in the field is what you should get. When I started out, a good deal of my field gear (German, but the rule applies) was very, very low end, and for the most part it's held up very well-- after all, four events a year is a lot in our part of the country. Moreover, you can always upgrade down the line, and then you'll have the beginnings of a loaner kit.
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Post by aj czarkowski on Apr 17, 2015 11:54:25 GMT -5
I use their economy stuff, and it's pretty good. I've been to seven events and the only thing that gave me problems was the cartridge belt, but it came that way from the store. The pouches were too small to fit ANYTHING in.
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Post by jeeperscreepers on Apr 17, 2015 14:15:02 GMT -5
I've also used their economy gear. I think it's manufactured by Miltech and manufactured in China or Taiwan. The U.S. canteen cover is OK. I just had to reinforce the canvas piece holding the hooks since the stitching was not tight enough and started to separate after running around with a full canteen. The FAP is fine. The M1928 haversack is fine its just that the eyelets for the bayonet and e-tool carrier were not spaced correctly so you might have to fix that one. I found out that you can prevent the eyelets from the cartridge belts from popping off by reinforcing the fabric around it by hand stitching around the eyelet to make the fabric tighter and stronger. I found this repair done on original gear when eyelets were about to pop out. I've used my economy gear in tactical reenactments and they've held up through rain mud and some abuse. If you're not crafty enough to do some reinforcing I suggest you get their top of the line gear. You'll thank yourself by avoiding needle punctures.
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Post by daehahn on Apr 20, 2015 17:07:19 GMT -5
What about the economy mussette bags? Any particular problem with those or should I just not bother and get a USA made one?
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Post by hardslack on Apr 20, 2015 19:10:50 GMT -5
I bought a 30$ repro musette bag off armynavysales.com. It made in china, so I suspect its more or less the same as the ATF economy gear. I have a friend with an original and I compared them briefly but it was a while ago and we no longer live close. I dont recall anything blatantly different between the two. I have used it for 2.5-3 years now, as an everyday book bag at school, as well as to hold clothes and stuff on trips. Structurally it has held up great to the daily load of books/ school stuff, probably 5-10 pounds. Only a few problems. One of the d ring attachments is just starting to appear strained, but its still very secure. One of the button type fasteners was broke when I got it. The button hole for the small side pocket quickly frayed, but it hasn't really been a problem, its just a little wider than originally. It could easily be restitched. one of the webbing straps also started to come apart a little, again, its only a cosmetic issue. Judging that the original I had had none of these problems they are certainly better quality, but I think I have put mine to a good durability test and I would absolutely buy another one and I highly recommend it.
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Post by daehahn on Apr 22, 2015 18:39:24 GMT -5
What about IMA's repros? Sorry for all the questions, its just I'm new to the reenacting part.
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Post by insterburger on Apr 22, 2015 20:08:01 GMT -5
I've had pretty good success with IMA. I can mostly speak on their German stuff, but I hope it's helpful: They do extremely cheap belt buckles that are great with a repaint, and I bought an excellent Zeltbahn from them. Their uniform items have been generally good, with a couple notable (but cheap) lemons: Their NCO BeVo Eagle is just awful, with the kind of silvery glitter you'd find on a My Little Pony t-shirt. On the other hand, the M36 helmet I got from them was really awesome for the price. I would say comparable or slightly higher quality to Asian vendors with a slightly higher price (most of the time, deals can be had) and a shorter shipping time, plus a return policy that is actually worth using: I got a splinter helmet cover that didn't quite fit over my helmet, and after one email I had an RMA, shipping paid for, with a new one (that had been pre-checked by them to make sure the size was right) on the way before the first was even in their custody. Try getting that from Hikishop.
Hope that helps.
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