Has anyone tried the Mil-Tec Military Style Tactical Vest?

[nextmayor]

I am a firm believer in you get what you pay for, but I just had to ask about this vest. IMO, I think it looks pretty good, but I wanted to know if anyone actually has one. I found this vest on the Airsoft Shopper website and it costs $40.

I can't believe it would be that good, but every once in a while there is a cheap product that is a real stand out. I'm not looking for the real vs. replica / cheap debate, just info on this vest, preferable first hand. Up until this point I have been a firm beleiver in using real gear, I don't see that changing, but I had to ask.

Here is a link:

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?p=WX2&i=69495

[sf3pox1]

That vest is from the South African area military units. The vest is comfortable, but "sloshes" around when running or moving quickly. I persoanlly do not like the fact, that the one place to attach your ALICE belt was onthe rear. the front nd sides have no way of securing to the user's belt. Overall it does its purpose, but I would enver use it comapred to the other options availible out there.


I bae my judgement on this vest because we sold it for a time at the Army-Navy store I work at. So I would always "experiment" and try EVERYTHING that comes in the store :D

[Maynard]

I bet you could easily take some straps, and make some loops that would snap around your belt in the front, attach them to the bottom of those lower pockets there, and solve some of that problem.

but for only $40, if they had that thing in OD, I'd buy it if I wanted that kind of gear set up. I have lots of expensive guns to buy this summer, so I"m gonna have to go sparingly on the gear...

and sf3pox1, how in gods name did you come to work in a surplus store? that must be one of the most fun jobs in the world-do you all sell airsoft things as well? that would be even better to work somewhere that sells airsoft guns and accessories. but that really goes without saying anyway. Wish I could work at my local surplus store, but its 10 miles away in another town, and is run by kinda, hick people who don't look like they'd accept any help...gulp...

[Agent 47]

Hmm, not a bad looking vest. would be a nice vest for a SAW gunner/ M203 grenadier :o

[AllenTC2]

I got the same vest in Flecktarn at www.sportsmansguide.com (http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?p=WX2&i=69495) . The link will take you straight there. Cost me like $49.95 to my door. Comes in woodland, olive, desert, and flecktarn.

I have not played in it yet, but it fits well, is adjustable for all sizes, and darling, you look mahvelous in it! :p

Cons? No drain holes for the pouches. Rear pouches use an awkward strap to secure closed. Depending on your weapon of choice, mags may not fit well in the front pouches. I'm gonna use an MP5, and it looks like those fit well, but G36 or AK mags will be difficult to cram in there.

Still, good deal in my book.

[Maynard]

I'm gonna revive this...AllenTC2, how is your flec vest? I am considering it, and I'm just hoping it isn't a cheap nylon deal-at least not 1 layer thin nylon or anything.

[AllenTC2]

Well, I'm no expert. When I was in the Army, I stuck to issue gear, so this is my first aftermarket "tactical" gear. Also, I have yet to play a game in it. I just got the thing a week or so ago, and haven't played.

Anyway, the nylon material DOES seem kinda thin, but the insides are lined with a rubber-like material, which makes it beefier. I can't comment on how well it wears, only time will reveal that.

The vest is VERY adjustable. There are more straps on that vest than at a B&D convention. So fit won't really be an issue. However, rolling up all those straps (so you don't have a lot of dangly bits) is kind of a PITA.

All the pouches on the front secured by "hook-n-loop" (i.e. Velcro)fasteners. Nice and easy to access, but noisy. The cut of the pouches is weird though. Granted, I've not tried carrying a full load of M16 mags or anything, but I did try fitting a M16, AK47, G36 and MP5 in one of the small pouches. Only the MP5 mag fit well. There is a larger pouch on the left front (I think) that fit at least 2 G36 mags and 3 of the other larger mags. Again, I was just throwing the mags in there. You may be able to get more in if you take your time. One guy with OVMB allegedly carries 10 M16 mags in this same vest.

There are two large pouches on the hip area. These are secured by straps, which I think is goofy. Something like the M16 mag pouch clips would be a lot better. I gather the guy with OVMB uses these pouches as drop pouches. I'm not sure how he secures the flap to keep the mags in while running around.

There are two back compartments, a larger one up top, the smaller in the small of your back. I'm gonna try to fit a 100 oz Hydrastorm bladder in the top one. I have a feeling I will only be able to partially fill it.

Hopefully this weekend I'll actually be able to use the vest, I'll tell ya more after that.

For the $$$ though, I think it is a good deal. I'm not prepared to go out and throw down for a Blackhawk vest, so it was either this or some surplus US gear. As I'm not gonna carry an M16, that sort of ruled out the USGI stuff! LOL

[Maynard]

Hmm...I have a 72 ounce civie camelbak thing, I hope that could fit in the back there...

I might think about this-have you worn it with a sling and weapon? I gather with so many pouches, a sling would get caught on everything, thats my only worry.

[AllenTC2]

Well, I was kinda concerned about the Camelbak thing to, but the bladder is flexible, so it'll fit, you just may not be able to fill it to capacity. I should be getting my bladder (LOL) in time for the game Sunday, so I should be able to tell you more next week.

I am not a big believer in slings. I took mine off in the field in the Army, and I intended to do the same for airsoft. I did see a neat little thing on a guy that secured up around the shoulder area on the vest, and clipped onto a strap on the butt of an M4. I think it's called a Wolf Hook, or something like that, and I'm thinking of getting it to secure my AEG while just BSing around.

As far as using the vest with a 3-point sling, I'd imagine you're right, it would cut across the pouches and all.

[PballTherapist]

http://www.practicalairsoft.co.uk/sa-vest.asp

[nextmayor]

PBT:

Thanks for the great link. I think I'll pick one of these up. As the review said the price is really good. Based on this review and the the other posts in this thread, I think I'll give it a try.

[Maynard]

yeah, it sounds really good-now I have to deside whether I want a flectarn or OD one...hmm...

[nextmayor]

I just ordered the OD version of this vest. For $40 I am willing to take the chance that it is a diamond in the rough. I have been very happy with some cheap items that I have picked up for very cheap prices.

I'll let you guys know what I think of it when I get it. Maybe a couple a couple of weeks til I give it try though. Thanks for all of the input.

[D_Man]

Keep me posted Nextmayor. I may get one of the desert ones to use at TAC's field. Only if it works well though :)

[nextmayor]

FYI, the OD vest from www.sportsmansguide.com is out of stock until 10/1/03. Woodland, desert, and flec are still in stock.

I decide to switch to the desert because that seems to be a pretty solid camo for the field where I play.

Just wanted to let you guys know. I'll keep you posted.

[PballTherapist]

Well, i've ordered mine and recieved it...

The positives:
-I ordered the woodland patern, which matches the US woodland pattern exactly (maybe a few differences?)
-I was very surprised that it was more well built than i expected. It seemed very sturdy and rugged.
-It has many (maybe too many) pouches for everything you carry into the field; the side underarm pouches are so big you can slip in two large green gas bottles with room to rattle.
-Very good for the price.

The negatives:
-Depending on where you play, no drain holes may be a problem.
-Areas on the shoulder pads had loose threads which were melted down which leaves hard points which dig into the neck. Most people wear collared BDU's anyway which fixes the problem.
-Has a cheap "Jansport" backpack material look to it. Maybe dirtying/breaking it in a bit will get rid of the cheap look.
-Only 2 belt loop keepers which is a problem if you use canteens, pistol holsters, etc etc.
-Lack of belt keepers also lead to the vest "sloshing" around much like what sf3 said. My solution to this is just tightening it up around my body.

Conclusion:
-Great value for the money. Dunno about performance yet since i haven't used it yet.
-Wish it had more belt keepers.
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?p=WX2&i=69495
-btw, the guy in the pic is wearing it too open in the front, making him and the vest look stupid. Its actually better looking than you think.

[AllenTC2]

I wore mine yesterday for 10+ hours of play. My observations.....

I was using an MP5 and I had trouble getting mags in/out of the lower right-side pocket if I had mags in the upper right-side. Not really a "con", but it requires you think through your load plan a litle more.

On the plus side, it should hold a TON of MP5 mags. I had three in both of the upper pouches...I'd hate to say how many you could carry in the lower pouches.

I also had my 100ml Hydrastorm bladder onboard. I removed the stitching and panel between the upper and lower back pouches and it fit great. I must say, I do not see how I survived 7 years as an infantry man w/o those things. They are far better than the 2 1 qt. canteens I used to carry!! LOL

I did not encounter any "sloshing" of the vest, but I wear mine tight. I also noticed it was kinda noisy, when branches or something brushed up against the material.

Anyway, for $49.95, I love it.

[nextmayor]

AllenTC2:

Can you give any more info on the hydration system mod? From my understanding there is one large pouch running down the back of this vest and is divided in two. Is there a simple cloth shelf that divides this pouch in two? Does the removal of the stitching compromise any other part of the vest?

What about the belt loops? They are only on the back of the vest under the center pouch, right? Is there any way to rig up a couple of extra belt loops using cinch straps (nylon webbing with the simple over under slide fastener). Is there any way to loop a couple of these straps around the front of the vest?

Let me know about the hydration system mod. My vest should be in on Tuesday.

[AllenTC2]

Nextmayor,

Taking out the shelf was a simple matter, I just took a knife, split a couple of threads, and pulled. It made a gap where I could get the blade in there to cut the threads without poking holes in the body of the pouch. You don't even have to remove it, just cut the thread on three sides.Fill the bladder, slide it in the top pouch, run the drinking tube out the velcroed opening. Secure the tube with the elastic bands on the shoulderstraps, and I tuck the mouthpiece in the left-side top ammo pouch (reducing it's MP5 mag capacity by one! LOL)

Now the belt loops thing I'm not sure about. I'm not wearing a pistol belt with mine. I don't see any way, short of cutting some slits along the bottom of the front, to get a strap through to make a "loop".

[Locutus2999]

You could attach some standard Eagle Duty Belt keepers to the bottom using some standard heavy nylon thread. Since I have no first hand experience with this particular vest, I can't really say if the material that you would be sewing to would be strong enough to hold them.

http://www.airsoftarms.com/showpic.php?ImageID=1906&FullSize=1

Blackhawk also makes some belt keepers with a tab with a grommet in it, this may give you something to actually sew to the vest so may work a little better:

http://www.airsoftarms.com/showpic.php?ImageID=1902&FullSize=1

[nextmayor]

My South African / Rhodesian M-83 Assault Vest came yesterday afternoon. Check out my initial review at the Team Two website if you're interested.

http://teamtwo.com/t2forums/viewtopic.php?t=53

[nextmayor]

http://www.airsoftohio.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1562

[nextmayor]

Well, after having had this vest for about a month, I finally got to use it in the field. After about 8 hours of skirmish this past Saturday, I can honestly say that I think this vest is an awesome deal. For $40 I was able to carry all of my skirmish gear in a comfortable and secure way.

My load out ending up being, 3 P90 magazines in the large right hand (while wearing the vest) pouch, 3 mini batteries in one of the single M16 mag pouches on the lower right side of this vest, a pocket knife, multi tool, and asthma inhaler in the other single mag pouch, the upper double magazine pouch on the right side was empty (more later), the right side grendade / utility pouch held two small zip-loc bags of bb's and fuses as well as the bit valve for my hydration system. On the left side, the large pouch held a rain coat, the utility pouch held my M3 tac-light, binoculars, and gloves. And the upper double mag pouch held my radio, extra AA batteries and another flashlight. The top rear pouch held a 50 oz. hydration system and some misc. items, while the bottom carried the pants to my rain suit. All of the pouches held all of their items safetly and securely.

One of the warnings that I had heard about this vest before purchasing it was that it was very loud. This cannot be farther from the truth. It was no louder than any other tactical gear that I have, including my Blackhawk vest. Nothing about this vest gave away my position. There were no crinkles, ruffles, or zips as I walked along, got hit by branches, or hid in the weeds. This vest is just as quite as the next.

The large hip pockets worked well as mag pouches and / or dump pouches, velcro stayed secured, and the material didn't rip or tear.

The lack of belt loops was my big concern about using this vest in the field. This concern was needless. I put the vest on and had a team pull the compression straps tight. This made the vest comfortable and there was no jiggling or sloshing around. We even played a downed pilot scenario that required my to run about 1/2 a mile. Even throughout this run the vest stayed secure and comfortable.

With all of that said, I am really impressed with this vest and for $40 I think it was a steel. There is only one problem that I have discovered. I borrowed a team mates M16 mags to see how the fit in the mag pouches. The fit was very shug, but not too tight. The problem the I discovered is that the two lower single magazine pouches on the right side are to close to the double mag pouch mounted above it. This is an issues because it prevent you from inserting or removing magazines. So I now will be using those magazine pouches as utility pouches. Even with the elimination of those pouches (and one double magazine pouch for my radio) this vest still has 3 double magazine pouches (enough for 6 magazines). Not really a draw back, but magazines that are clamped to gether will not work in these pouches, only individual magazine.

If you are looking for a solid vest that will not cost an arm and leg, give this vest a try, I'm sure you'll be as happy with it as am I.