View Full Version : Eagle CIRAS
Surgicalcric
12-31-2005, 17:12
I seperated this to not hijack another thread. The beginning of this thread can be found here... http://professionalsoldiers.com/forums/showthread.php?p=106120#post106120
Originally Posted by The Reaper
Do you have any questions about the MAR CIRAS?
TR
I have an OD (more of a Ranger/Smoke Green after a dusting with tan Krylon) Land version I did some horse trading for. Was wondering what the deciding factor was with you on the Mar version and how you like it? I looked one Mar ver over at the LF store in town but the side opening design wasnt as much to my unexperienced/uneducated liking as the front opening. Seems it would be more difficult to don with a GP pouch, BOK covering the velcro/PALS flap than having mags on the front opening of the Land ver. I also like the placement of the Pillow in the upper center chest area on the Mar vs the placement on the Land version.
Speaking of carriers in general I like the mesh material used on the body sides of the CIRAS as opposed to the use of Cordura by other manufactures. Not as stiff as the mesh HSGI uses on the MESA tac vests, but heavy enough to be durable. The mesh promotes better ventilation under what I have found to be a heat generating piece of kit.
Again, just my novice observations.
Crip
NousDefionsDoc
12-31-2005, 19:54
CIRAS, not CIRUS
The Reaper
12-31-2005, 20:55
Was wondering what the deciding factor was with you on the Mar version and how you like it?
Availability and the fact that it would appear that 7th Group is going with the Maritime version for reasons that escape me. I like it fine, once I got it assermbled, The instructions suck and require a lot of backtracking. The accessory pockets vary from great to mediocre, I would suggest looking at the various ones available before deciding. The release seems well thought out and is ambidexterous, but if you pull that handle, you will need at least five minutes to reassemble the components, even if you have packed parachutes before. It is also fairly easy to install the armor (hard and soft) in, and is comfortable to wear with a load. It does tend to pll down in the front if you have a full load of mags and frags and no counterweight like a ruck or a hydration system in back.
I looked one Mar ver over at the LF store in town but the side opening design wasnt as much to my unexperienced/uneducated liking as the front opening. Seems it would be more difficult to don with a GP pouch, BOK covering the velcro/PALS flap than having mags on the front opening of the Land ver. I also like the placement of the Pillow in the upper center chest area on the Mar vs the placement on the Land version.
The front opening Land version of the CIRAS appears to require a split front shingle, if you run one, versus the side opening not disturbing your front load. I tend to carry ammo on the front, and GP pouches, radio pouches, or holsters on the sides. The side cummerbund version is pretty quick to don and ditch, once you get used to it. It takes a day or two.
Speaking of carriers in general I like the mesh material used on the body sides of the CIRUS as opposed to the use of Cordura by other manufactures. Not as stiff as the mesh HSGI uses on the MESA tac vests, but heavy enough to be durable. The mesh promotes better ventilation under what I have found to be a heat generating piece of kit.
Crip
Agree. I prefer the mesh liner for coolness, which is a real concern where most of the systems are being worn. Eagle also thoughtfully uses a fairly soft version, instead of that hard mesh some others use.
All in all, an excellent, pretty well-though out piece of kit. The quality is, as expected, superb. This would be my first choice of quick release armor carriers. For quick availiability and utility, I think that you can build the MOLLE components out of a variety of makers and have a better selection of configurations to fit your needs. I am running a couple of pieces of Eggroll's gear on mine, and would probably add a few more, along with one Paraclete piece, along with some of Eagle's.
TR
Surgicalcric
01-01-2006, 00:41
Thank you Sir for your thoughts on the CIRAS.
Mine is just taking up space in my barracks room as you could well guess but for what I traded for it I couldnt pass it up. I only have 4 TT triple mag pouches and a couple ESSTAC GP pouches on it as well as a BOK.
I cant believe I misspelled CIRAS... I read and reread my response a few times and it escaped me. I then ran it thru MS Word spell checker. Thats what I get. <sigh>
Crip
Thanks Razor. ;)
NousDefionsDoc
01-01-2006, 07:08
The instructions suck
I've been noticing this a lot lately.
The Reaper
01-01-2006, 09:33
I've been noticing this a lot lately.
It is the only thing I have ever seen from Eagle that had any instructions, regardless of the number of straps, buckles and pieces of hardware to assemble.
I guess it is progress.:D
TR
While on the subject of the CIRAS, has anyone heard anything on the non-releasable version of the MAR CIRAS?
I was browsing the forum over at AR15.com this morning and ran across a thread on the CIRAS. Supposedly Eagle is developing a non-releasable version of the MAR CIRAS that is more suited for the LEOs. I'm not really sure on the details other than the rumor says it might show up at the SHOT Show this year.
John
The Reaper
01-01-2006, 12:12
While on the subject of the CIRAS, has anyone heard anything on the non-releasable version of the MAR CIRAS?
I was browsing the forum over at AR15.com this morning and ran across a thread on the CIRAS. Supposedly Eagle is developing a non-releasable version of the MAR CIRAS that is more suited for the LEOs. I'm not really sure on the details other than the rumor says it might show up at the SHOT Show this year.
John
Why would someone want to buy a non-releasable CIRAS?
TR
Beats me, but that's what they (the guys over at AR15) were saying. I guess it wouldn't be called the CIRAS either would it?
John
Surgicalcric
01-01-2006, 12:30
Why would someone want to buy a non-releasable CIRAS?
TR
I was thinking the same thing Sir.
JMH85:
From what I have read the LEO version would be available in black; have a larger Velcro area on the chest area as well some on the back just below the drag handle, instead of PALS in both places; it will be non-releasable; and would be offered at a slightly cheaper price than the releasable versions.
I dont know about the SHOT rumor but I have read it is to be available early this year.
HTH
Crip
TR,
At least some of 20th Grp got the MAR CIRAS. I don't think it was necessarily due to any concious choice but rather that is what got fielded prior to going downrange. Maybe the reason that 7th Grp got the MAR version wasn't unique to them. Mandated from higher maybe?
Going from front opening kit (Paraclete RAV) to the MAR CIRAS is taking a little bit of getting used to for me. Nothing regarding the fit/ride of the CIRAS, just that given where the vest opens I have needed to adjust the type/placement of pouches to fit within the available real estate. Probably on the same order as I went through when going from the LBE to the LBV and then from the LBV to the RAV.
Getting in/out of the MAR version isn't too bad as long as you leave one side fastened and only open one side.... since I tend to keep one side a little cleaner than the other in order to not interfere with me getting to my secondary on a leg or belt rig it's not too bad for me.
Maybe a non-releasable version would be lighter/less bulky (a la the RAV) along with being a little cheaper?
We're sporting the MARCIRAS out here too. Well... those of use who wear them.
The Reaper
01-01-2006, 23:18
We're sporting the MARCIRAS out here too. Well... those of use who wear them.
What is your alternative and why did you pick it?
TR
So for $584 we only get the carrier? No armor is included?? Is that worth it in your opinions? :confused:
The CIRAS I have heard are good, but Ive only ahd experiance with the RAV and the RCBV from battlelab (basically the same thing, but better...) The CIRAS is what I plan on picking up soon to upgrade my FSBE AAV, and from everyone I've heard it's a fantastic rig. I have heard of the problems apparent in the sagging, but a hydration carrier on the back solves that problem. The Land version is preffered by the MAR one around here due to the cummberbund and more webbing capacity. A pistol could be holstered in the cummberbund as well for when you dont want a drop leg. The rig is very expensive, but well made, Eagle did very well on it and I haven't heard anything negative from the people I know that own them.
What is your alternative and why did you pick it?
TR
I havn't been an actual assaulter for a while. So I needed a kit set-up that would get me through the house and to the roof/SO position. So I've started wearing Diamondback Tactical's "BattleLab Low Vis Rack – LV1 Plain" over my Blackhawk plate carrier with soft inserts. My pistol is on the chest of the plate carrier for roof/ladder ascents. I carry extra mags, grenades, demo, first-aid/blow-out, and water/pogey in a small assault bag. And I can doff the bag when in position. The BattleLab rack holds enough M4/M9mags for me to get to the SO position, Etrex, curlex&tourniquet, MBITR, and an ASP I've never used. For a 'day on the town' in NTV's I wear a concealable and the rack since it's is slim enough to where under a dish-dash and not look like I'm a fat bastard with mag-shaped tumors on my chest.
Alot of guys are still going with plate carriers and concealables underneath because the MARCIRAS feels heavier, loose, huge and sits lower on the torso. I don't mind it myself, but I like a slim frontal profile for climbing and getting in the prone. The prone shooter they have pictured in their brochure can't possibly be comfortable because I smoke the piss out of my head and neck in the prone trying to look thru my sights.
So that's the combo that worked for me this last trip, but I'm one of those "kit tinkerers'. FWIW, back home I wear the MARCIRAS for the CSM's and CDR's that like to see guys in the kit that was purchased for them.
I found the information/review on the LEO version on lightfighter this morning. Here is the link if anyone is interested in what I was asking about in my above reply.
http://lightfighter.net/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/9046084761/m/2361085602
John
optactical
02-07-2006, 21:47
The Maritime CIRAS is what is getting issued to all 18 series, AFAIK there are no land versions within the USASOC community. Somewhere out there is a USASOC notice that says that it is the only authorized body armor for wear within the community once it has been issued (I have not seen said piece of paper, so please research this before quoting me).
I have a Powerpoint class I did on how to properly fit the Maritime CIRAS. PM me with an email address if you want a copy of it.
Optactical
I would like a copy of that powerpoint. PM Sent
Thanks!
Egg
resonant evil
02-11-2006, 02:24
What is your alternative and why did you pick it?
TR
We bought Paraclete for the team before the CIRAS was issued.