Training Gear Load-Out, or, What I Took on My Summer Vacation

**The Reaper** · 08-18-2006, 18:24

Gear List/Brief Review

Old knuckle-dragging, trigger-puller, attending two week shooting school earlier this month, in Southern Woodland/Swamp/Urban Terrain, 95-105 degree highs daily, high humidity, to learn cool new stuff and get beat down.

Gear hounds, if it interests you, here is what I wound up with. Over half my gear never left the room to go to training. Just in case items or better stuff was available. Here is what I chose to use and a few brief comments about it.

Anyone who uses this gear to make a living (and not for AirSoft games) who sees something and has a question or comment, feel free to ask or jump in. Keep it professional.

Thanks!

TR

• UnderArmour Heat Gear T-Shirt – Performed very well, if only they could be safely worn in a combat environment. Also have to go to long sleeves after a day or two in the sun. Take the gear off though, and your t-shirt is dry in 15 minutes.
• DCUs – Better than the ACUs
• Wellco Desert Boots – Excellent value, great boots, no problems
• SOLE Footbeds – Makes standing for 16 hours per day possible
• Ingenius Socks – Still the best, keep your feet dry and comfy all day long
• Eagle Instructor Belt – Standard design, superior materials and construction
• Oakley Half Jackets – Good, but difficult to change lenses. Recommend spare pair in Clear. Prescription lenses nice, but very spendy. Lost one nose piece and snapped the tab off a lens in less then three weeks
• SWMS Heat Grip Gloves – Good, but the SWMS/Camelbak Vent Gloves are the best till the Sims come out
• Alta Kneepads and Elbow Pads – Good, but like the Arc'Teryx Knee Caps I saw there better
• Cravat – So many uses, can’t leave home without at least one
• Boonie Hat – Swapped from the baseball hat when the sun got rough. Keeps ears and neck from burning
• Large Sebenza – That, or a T2 is the pocket knife to carry
• SureFire L4 – LED = more battery life, more light, and never needing to replace a bulb
• LRI Photon Freedom on Dog Tag Chain – Gotta give credit, hard to beat the tiny thing
• 20’ 550 Cord – So many uses, where would we be without it
• 6’ of Flattened 100mph Tape – You never know when you will need it
• Butane lighter – Easiest fire starter short of a Thermite Grenade or Trip Flare
• Signal Mirror – In the pocket. You never know you are carrying it till you need it.
• Signal Scarf – See above. So much smaller than a VS-17.
• Rite in the Rain Notebook and Pen – Listen up and take copious notes, all the time

• BHI Padded Duty Belt – Last minute addition. Who did they get the design from so I can pay the inventor and buy the real deal?
• Safariland 6004 – Fast and furious. Good CQB rig. Not designed for patrolling or vehicle use.
• Emdom 6o4 Pistol Mag Pouch – New design from MM lets me carry four mags (or six) in the real estate of two. Great idea, well executed
• HSGI Suspenders – Great design, wish the shoulders were non-slip
• EGL Dump Pouch – Another great one. Keep partially loaded mags and spare ammo loose to top off during idle moments
• Spec Ops Flashlight Pouch – Excellent design
• SureFire L1 Red Flashlight – Low and Medium power, very long life from single battery, compact, very handy for small tasks, and easy on your night vision to boot
• Leatherman Charge XTi – Our very own. Wish I could get it my way.
• Harsey-Reeve Green Beret Knife in Spec-Ops Sheath – Carried it till I knew I didn’t need it, then kept it handy in my bag, just in case

• Level 3A Plates and carrier – Lightest plates I have seen yet, will get the name of the manufacturer
• Level 3A Helmet – Lightest 3A helmet out there, will get the name of the manufacturer, if anyone needs one. Expensive.
• AN/PVS-14 NVD – Standard issue, good gear
• SureFire HL-1 Helmet Light – Very handy, wish it was the IR version
• ESS Avenger Goggles – Excellent for when the Pro Mask was not needed and the Oakleys were not enough. Only fogged under severe conditions.
• Scott N95 Protective Mask – Flows filtered air like it has a positive pressure hose on it. Never fogged. Da' King!
• Sordin SSP Supreme Ear Pro – Best ear pro I have ever worn, very comfortable, extreme battery life, great noise reduction and filtering, spendy.

• TT 1-Piece MAV w/X-Harness – Excellent rig, wish it had internal pockets
• 2x Single M-4 Mag Pouches with Double Pistol Mag Pouches on each - Super kit, first reload I went for. Two extended pistol mags in two pouches, SureFire and Leatherman in the other two
• 3x Double M-4 mag pouches – Good storage, rotate full mags to empty pouches on left
• 1x MBITR Radio Pouch – Never used radio
• Blowout Pouch – Get one properly stocked and learn how to use it. Add “owie” items as desired
• Eagle Hydration carrier and 100 oz. Camelbak Bladder – no lie, hydrate or die; consumed one and a half to two gallons of water per day. Felt like I passed it all between 2300 and 0600.
• Platypus Bladders – Assorted sizes, all flexible, handy and well made
• Otis Cleaning Kit – Compact, versatile, still wish I had a solid cleaning rod, just in case
• SureFire Z2 Flashlight – Never enough light
• Leatherman Wave – Great design
• LRI Photon Freedom on Retractable ID Badge Reel – great light for close up work, no dummy cord to tangle with
• Flex-Cuffs – Nothing better when you need them
• Chemlights – Lots of them, regular, High Intensity, and IR

• Glock G17 with Trijicon Night Sights and 3.5# Connector – What they told me to bring in 9mm. .40 or .45 would have been a different story. After seeing the M-9s, glad I did. Best running pistol there, unstoppable. 3,000 rounds, no KBs.
• SureFire X200B Pistol Light with DG-11 Switch – Very handy, very bright, no bulb, great one handed switch
• Glock Factory Mags – Infallible Tupperware

• LMT CQB-R clone with Match 2-Stage trigger – Most reliable and accurate rifle there. Ran like a top, hit whatever I aimed it at. Compact and reliable. Great for CQB, vehicles, and short range engagements. Trigger like a glass rod. ‘Nuff said?
• SureFire FA556K Suppressor – Great little can for the CQB-R, eliminates the nasty little bark of the shorty, but not the bite. Little or no shift in POI, installed or removed, extremely durable, sucks up the heat, sound and blast, but expensive.
• LMT SOPMOD Buttstock – Best M-4 buttstock out there, super stock cheek weld, rubber butt plate and ample storage to boot
• Falcon Ergo Sure Grip Pistol Grip – Grippiest and most comfortable for me
• EO Tech 552 Optic on LaRue EO Tech Mount – Great for CQB and short ranges, uses AA batteries, long battery life, fast, very fast shooting. LaRue mount puts it the dot just above the front sight post. Quick on and off, adjustable tension, locks up solid and stays repeatable
• SureFire M73 Foreend – Lots of real estate, solid lock-up, no rattles or dropped parts
• Troy Back-Up Iron Sight – Best BUIS I have run. Zeroed at the same time as the EO Tech, ran it up the whole time, lots of bumps and shared rifles, no problems
• Vickers Combat Applications Sling – New product, two-point sling with quick adjust, worked great for me. My favorite M-4 sling now. Pricey though.
• CQD Front Sling Mount – Very nice, low profile, inconspicuous, does not allow sling to wind like a rubber band airplane
• AN/PEQ-2A Aiming Light – Issue, dated, but does the job when it works
• SureFire M910A-BL – Controversial. I like it, had no issues, nav lights built in, powerful, focused main beam, uses common CR 123 batteries, easy to operate, lock on or off, turn it on and watch the roaches scatter. Some felt that it was heavy, blocked the preferred PEQ-2 Tape switch mount position, was fragile and prone to breakage. Mine did not. I had the Dieter CQD VFG and several other SureFires if needed, but I stayed with the M910A
• Trijicon RCO 4x32 ACOG on the LaRue ACOG Mount – Just in case the EO Tech crapped the bed or ranges got longer
• GI M-4 Mags with Green Followers – Ran great, but Inner Tubes and 100mph tape have to give way to the new sure grip tech, skateboard tape
• KG cleaning products, MiliTec-1 Lube and TW25B grease – keep the gun clean, wet, and the dust cover closed.
• StarLight Gun Case – Lighter than Pelican or other hard cases, M-4 with all accessories, to include a dozen mags, two set of optics, a suppressor, five SureFire light systems, a pistol, ten pistol mags, etc., only weighed 35 pounds loaded. The wheels made it possible to carry additional bags and to get around without a golf cart.

x SF med · 08-18-2006, 19:25

TR-
If you're going non tac, try the Dry Shirt from Victory - SPF 50, long sleeve, repels light rain, breathable, longsleeve. I could only find them in white and grey on a web site called Sailing Anarchy. I use mine in hot and cold weather, dry, wet, sunny, breezy, or calm - about $40. Very comfortable, very durable as an outer or inner layer, works as a rash guard too.

**The Reaper** · 08-18-2006, 19:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by x_sf_med

TR-
If you're going non tac, try the Dry Shirt from Victory - SPF 50, long sleeve, repels light rain, breathable, longsleeve. I could only find them in white and grey on a web site called Sailing Anarchy. I use mine in hot and cold weather, dry, wet, sunny, breezy, or calm - about $40. Very comfortable, very durable as an outer or inner layer, works as a rash guard too.

http://cart.victorywetsuits.com/home.php?cat=11

Long sleeve, short sleeve, muscle shirt, 12 colors, six sizes.

Looks interesting, thanks.

TR

Psywar1-0 · 08-19-2006, 05:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Reaper

Gear List/Brief Review
BHI Padded Duty Belt – Last minute addition. Who did they get the design from so I can pay the inventor and buy the real deal?

I think this is a "Even a broken watch is right twice a day" type of thing.

This belt and the X200 belt clip are the only 2 BHI items that I really like.

**The Reaper** · 08-19-2006, 07:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Psywar1-0

I think this is a "Even a broken watch is right twice a day" type of thing.

This belt and the X200 belt clip are the only 2 BHI items that I really like.

I understand that Eagle and I think SKD also make similar padded belts.

The best X200 belt clip I have seen is the Uncle Mike's. Inexpensive, too. Just doesn't work with the X200s with extended switches.

TR

lksteve · 08-19-2006, 08:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Reaper

Old knuckle-dragging, trigger-puller...to learn cool new stuff and get beat down.

the Sluggos ought to take note...this need never goes away...

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Reaper

• DCUs – Better than the ACUs

just curious, but please expound...

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Reaper

• Eagle Hydration carrier and 100 oz. Camelbak Bladder – no lie, hydrate or die; consumed one and a half to two gallons of water per day. Felt like I passed it all between 2300 and 0600.

sounds a little light on the water, TR...surprised you weren't a little dehydrated...in Somalia (similar weather conditions) i was going through around 2-3 gallons per day...

no pocket flask...?

Psywar1-0 · 08-19-2006, 12:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Reaper

I understand that Eagle and I think SKD also make similar padded belts.

The best X200 belt clip I have seen is the Uncle Mike's. Inexpensive, too. Just doesn't work with the X200s with extended switches.

TR

I will have to look into that. I do know that the BHI belt is 100% better than the Tactical Tailor padded molle belt that I was using.

Not to totally derail this thread, but regarding the light clips and assorted acounterments, have you found a good IWB holster that you can carry a 1911 with the light mounted? In the summer Im carrying the pistol IWB, with the light on a clip to avoid printing. In the winter with heavier clothing I carry the gun in a bladetech OWB holster with the light mounted and dont have a printing problem.

**The Reaper** · 08-19-2006, 12:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by lksteve

just curious, but please expound...

I am not a fan of the ACU non-camo pattern, the pajama material, or the design.

The DCUs met my needs better, and were much cheaper to boot.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lksteve

sounds a little light on the water, TR...surprised you weren't a little dehydrated...in Somalia (similar weather conditions) i was going through around 2-3 gallons per day...

no pocket flask...?

One of the worst days for heat, I emptied the 100 oz. Camelbak twice, drank a two liter soda, and several bottles of Gatorade. I was drinking hard every time we paused, and closely monitoring my urination. I was probably mildly dehydrated at times when we went long between breaks, but I was working on it every time we stopped.

For reasons that I think are pretty obvious, I do not drink alcohol or take heavy meds when I am in a shooting school.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Psywar1-0

I will have to look into that. I do know that the BHI belt is 100% better than the Tactical Tailor padded molle belt that I was using.

Not to totally derail this thread, but regarding the light clips and assorted acounterments, have you found a good IWB holster that you can carry a 1911 with the light mounted? In the summer Im carrying the pistol IWB, with the light on a clip to avoid printing. In the winter with heavier clothing I carry the gun in a bladetech OWB holster with the light mounted and dont have a printing problem.

The Blade-Tech and the Side Armor are the only two companies I know making belt holsters that will carry the guns with lights mounted. I have tried to get my favorite holster maker, Kramer to make one for me, but thus far, they seem unwilling to try. Have you checked with Safariland?

HTH.

TR

**Jack Moroney (RIP)** · 08-19-2006, 18:37

What-no Coin?

**The Reaper** · 08-19-2006, 21:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Moroney

What-no Coin?

Is that a challenge, Sir?

TR

**Jack Moroney (RIP)** · 08-20-2006, 04:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Reaper

Is that a challenge, Sir?

TR

Absolutely not!!

But I'd buy you a beer anytime.

eggroll · 08-20-2006, 16:42

Reaper

you have the older model Loppy, I'll get you a revised version out with your next box

frostfire · 08-25-2006, 00:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Reaper

UnderArmour Heat Gear T-Shirt – Performed very well, if only they could be safely worn in a combat environment. Also have to go to long sleeves after a day or two in the sun. Take the gear off though, and your t-shirt is dry in 15 minutes.

With UnderArmour brand getting more and more popular with most sports and military, its pricing also soars. To save a little, I would suggest trying the Nike Dri-Fit series. I've worn one all day long, under the sun, running, sprinting, working-out, in AC, worn by itself, with shirt over it etc. without changing or towelling off. Even with no wind, you still feel that cold breeze sensation as sweat is being wicked away. The material of both brands (or any sweat wicking garment) are the same: polyester, spandex, and nylon. I got mine at Marshalls for $9.95

x SF med · 08-25-2006, 08:12

I've got a couple of 'dri-fits' too - nice stuff. There is another brand of that material that Head and Reebock use for their gear - can't remember the name.

I spend all of my money on sailing gear (and the boat) anymore, been a civilian too long I guess.

NousDefionsDoc · 08-25-2006, 19:53

Quote:

One of the worst days for heat, I emptied the 100 oz. Camelbak twice, drank a two liter soda, and several bottles of Gatorade. I was drinking hard every time we paused, and closely monitoring my urination. I was probably mildly dehydrated at times when we went long between breaks, but I was working on it every time we stopped.

For reasons that I think are pretty obvious, I do not drink alcohol or take heavy meds when I am in a shooting school.

You must have had a really good Medic when you were a TL to be so well trained.

I am wearing the DBT FAC with L4 plates and the L3 soft in the cumberbund. When I carry it, it's heavy as hell, but you don't notice it when you put it on. I have the 100oz bladder on the back, 2XFBs, 4X mags, 6X 12Ga Master Keys and the 6o4 with 3 mags and my PS Leatherman, a strong FAK, radio and GP pouch for the comms set, glove, etc. It's a load, but like I said, it doesn't feel heavy in wear.

Sounds like you had some good training there.