danpass
03-15-10, 16:32
Took a Precision Rifle class this past weekend and thought to share some findings on the gear I used.
Top to bottom:
Boonie hat:
I've become quite the fan of the boonie hat, specifically the Propper brand. Tru-Spec seems just as durable but I prefer the shorter brim of the Propper model. Its short enough that it doesn't sag and its long enough to cover the back of the neck from the sun and shield the eyes from the sun until just before dusk (so it covers quite the angle spread).
Multicam of course :D
5.11 Eagle eyewear:
Got the 3-lens kit on sale from LAPolicegear.com. Fits very well, streamlined look, great clarity and resists scratching quite well as I learned when I was next to another AR shooter. That case nailed me directly in the left eye area with full force. Felt like three hits actually, case mouth followed by case head and then case mouth again lol.
SO WEAR YOUR EYEPRO!
Flents Purple foam plugs:
At 33db they've always been my favorites and Walmart sells them in a 50 pair tub. I have both Surefire EP-3 and EP-4 earplugs and they serve their intended purpose well. I would have continued using them except that someone at the class decided to bring their 300WSM with muzzle brake to the class.
Personally I consider the 50BMG to be a pleasant boom but that 300WSM must sound off at a higher sound frequency because it was just irritatingly loud.
The Flents were the only thing to keep it at bay (other than doubling up with muffs, but muffs and eyewear never gave a good seal for me)
Tru-Spec OD TRU Tactical Response Uniform Shirt:
http://www.desertdeucesurplus.com/servlet/the-483/TRU-dsh-SPEC-Tactical-Response-Uniform/Detail
Bought it on a whim really since it has that tougher material without being like a coat. It fit strange at first, snug at the front of the shoulder yet not binding at all in every single other arm position, over, forward, back, etc. Slightly bellowed around the waist which turned out great for concealing pistol and mags.
It has a zipper along with three velcro areas. The velcro alone turned out to be sufficient to keep the shirt closed. This way I could still tear it open quick to catch a breeze.
The high neck, in conjunction with the boonie, kept the sun off my neck completely. I cinched the cuffs just enough to avoid having them ride up my arms. There are velcroed pockets for elbow pads (I didn't have any pads).
I had some relatively flat items in the chest pockets and they never got in the way during prone.
I found the shoulder pockets to be surprisingly useful. I had my iphone on one side and my compact camera on the other. Never did they get in the way and they never got damaged. Didn't even feel like anything was in those pockets.
Having the velcro collar closure was nice when we did a 'hide drill' :D. Good for keeping that stinking thorn bush out of my neck lol.
5.11 undershirt/Underarmor golf shirt:
Really its the material, wicking the sweat away from the body. Just a touch hot with the TruSpec shirt but open the shirt up, get that wind in there for a quick cool down, and back to business.
MechanixWear The Original Coyote Glove:
http://www.mechanix.com/tactical/the-original-coyote-glove
Had good luck with two previous pairs being more durable than they would seem to be while not being hot. Coyote color was just the ticket.
Both days were perfectly clear and that gear was plenty to avoid slathering on sunblock while still avoiding sunburn. My face got a little bit of color but nothing major at all.
LAPoliceGear FUBAR pant:
http://www.lapolicegear.com/fubar-tactical-pant.html
I got the tan version (should have gotten coyote lol, next pair if they're still selling them). They proved quite comfortable and durable in the brush ('hide drill') with many well placed and well designed pockets. Last time I used thigh pockets the items inside kept banging my calves and the back of my thighs, these were fine. Even the outside calf pocket was fine with a full 20rnd PCLIP in it even on a quick run (I did cinch the cuffs up a little bit using the drawstring which helped I'm sure).
There is a section in the knee for knee pads (again, I didn't have any pads).
Hi-Tec shoes:
Had these for some time. I've never put them "through their paces" and the soles have worn a little faster than I expected but I used them anyway since the uppers are still quite comfortable and waterproof and quite durable (even against that dang thornbush!). The inner sole it comes with has held up very well.
Thick, cushy, polyester blend socks:
These were actually winter socks back from the Michigan days but they turned out not to be hot. And they're over the calf which helps in the field.
I've found that polyblend socks are just right for wicking moisture while still having that cotton softness thruout the day.
Midway shooting mat:
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=169107
Rubber bottom, canvas top, brown/OD green color, velcro straps to wrap itself up, carry handle, shoulder strap, non-slip elbow full width elbow area and knee areas, front canvas section and best of all thin, yet DENSE padding, not that cheap foam padding that immediately caves in providing no cushioning whatsoever.
All that for $25.
Sniper Veil:
Interesting tool. I'd never used one before. It really breaks up the outline quite well and a scope can see thru it just fine.
But .... it got hung up good on that stinking thornbush quite well! Couldn't move my rifle around. Finally I just broke out my knife and went on a slash and burn rampage. Carried a few pieces of that bush around with me for a little bit lol.
CamelBak M.U.L.E:
Started out with a 2L 'civilian' camelbak, The Rogue, and found that the exposed tubing sucked in sunlight, the exposed bite valve sucked after the first time you drank out of it (full of dust/dirt the moment you let go) and no legitimate storage.
The MULE was great. I went thru its 3L each day. The neoprene tube cover was great at minimizing heat up of the water in sunlight and the bite valve cover was perfect at keeping it clean. Had some Clif bars in the top and a simple FAK, my gloves, ear plugs in the bottom pocket.
The water shut off combined with the quick disconnect was great for those treeline #1 potty break hand washings lol (yes I disconnected the valve first).
A short video and pics showing some gear:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2NnrO_tthI
http://www.danpassaro.com/img/v7/p143668713.jpg
http://www.danpassaro.com/img/v9/p459828320.jpg
Top to bottom:
Boonie hat:
I've become quite the fan of the boonie hat, specifically the Propper brand. Tru-Spec seems just as durable but I prefer the shorter brim of the Propper model. Its short enough that it doesn't sag and its long enough to cover the back of the neck from the sun and shield the eyes from the sun until just before dusk (so it covers quite the angle spread).
Multicam of course :D
5.11 Eagle eyewear:
Got the 3-lens kit on sale from LAPolicegear.com. Fits very well, streamlined look, great clarity and resists scratching quite well as I learned when I was next to another AR shooter. That case nailed me directly in the left eye area with full force. Felt like three hits actually, case mouth followed by case head and then case mouth again lol.
SO WEAR YOUR EYEPRO!
Flents Purple foam plugs:
At 33db they've always been my favorites and Walmart sells them in a 50 pair tub. I have both Surefire EP-3 and EP-4 earplugs and they serve their intended purpose well. I would have continued using them except that someone at the class decided to bring their 300WSM with muzzle brake to the class.
Personally I consider the 50BMG to be a pleasant boom but that 300WSM must sound off at a higher sound frequency because it was just irritatingly loud.
The Flents were the only thing to keep it at bay (other than doubling up with muffs, but muffs and eyewear never gave a good seal for me)
Tru-Spec OD TRU Tactical Response Uniform Shirt:
http://www.desertdeucesurplus.com/servlet/the-483/TRU-dsh-SPEC-Tactical-Response-Uniform/Detail
Bought it on a whim really since it has that tougher material without being like a coat. It fit strange at first, snug at the front of the shoulder yet not binding at all in every single other arm position, over, forward, back, etc. Slightly bellowed around the waist which turned out great for concealing pistol and mags.
It has a zipper along with three velcro areas. The velcro alone turned out to be sufficient to keep the shirt closed. This way I could still tear it open quick to catch a breeze.
The high neck, in conjunction with the boonie, kept the sun off my neck completely. I cinched the cuffs just enough to avoid having them ride up my arms. There are velcroed pockets for elbow pads (I didn't have any pads).
I had some relatively flat items in the chest pockets and they never got in the way during prone.
I found the shoulder pockets to be surprisingly useful. I had my iphone on one side and my compact camera on the other. Never did they get in the way and they never got damaged. Didn't even feel like anything was in those pockets.
Having the velcro collar closure was nice when we did a 'hide drill' :D. Good for keeping that stinking thorn bush out of my neck lol.
5.11 undershirt/Underarmor golf shirt:
Really its the material, wicking the sweat away from the body. Just a touch hot with the TruSpec shirt but open the shirt up, get that wind in there for a quick cool down, and back to business.
MechanixWear The Original Coyote Glove:
http://www.mechanix.com/tactical/the-original-coyote-glove
Had good luck with two previous pairs being more durable than they would seem to be while not being hot. Coyote color was just the ticket.
Both days were perfectly clear and that gear was plenty to avoid slathering on sunblock while still avoiding sunburn. My face got a little bit of color but nothing major at all.
LAPoliceGear FUBAR pant:
http://www.lapolicegear.com/fubar-tactical-pant.html
I got the tan version (should have gotten coyote lol, next pair if they're still selling them). They proved quite comfortable and durable in the brush ('hide drill') with many well placed and well designed pockets. Last time I used thigh pockets the items inside kept banging my calves and the back of my thighs, these were fine. Even the outside calf pocket was fine with a full 20rnd PCLIP in it even on a quick run (I did cinch the cuffs up a little bit using the drawstring which helped I'm sure).
There is a section in the knee for knee pads (again, I didn't have any pads).
Hi-Tec shoes:
Had these for some time. I've never put them "through their paces" and the soles have worn a little faster than I expected but I used them anyway since the uppers are still quite comfortable and waterproof and quite durable (even against that dang thornbush!). The inner sole it comes with has held up very well.
Thick, cushy, polyester blend socks:
These were actually winter socks back from the Michigan days but they turned out not to be hot. And they're over the calf which helps in the field.
I've found that polyblend socks are just right for wicking moisture while still having that cotton softness thruout the day.
Midway shooting mat:
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=169107
Rubber bottom, canvas top, brown/OD green color, velcro straps to wrap itself up, carry handle, shoulder strap, non-slip elbow full width elbow area and knee areas, front canvas section and best of all thin, yet DENSE padding, not that cheap foam padding that immediately caves in providing no cushioning whatsoever.
All that for $25.
Sniper Veil:
Interesting tool. I'd never used one before. It really breaks up the outline quite well and a scope can see thru it just fine.
But .... it got hung up good on that stinking thornbush quite well! Couldn't move my rifle around. Finally I just broke out my knife and went on a slash and burn rampage. Carried a few pieces of that bush around with me for a little bit lol.
CamelBak M.U.L.E:
Started out with a 2L 'civilian' camelbak, The Rogue, and found that the exposed tubing sucked in sunlight, the exposed bite valve sucked after the first time you drank out of it (full of dust/dirt the moment you let go) and no legitimate storage.
The MULE was great. I went thru its 3L each day. The neoprene tube cover was great at minimizing heat up of the water in sunlight and the bite valve cover was perfect at keeping it clean. Had some Clif bars in the top and a simple FAK, my gloves, ear plugs in the bottom pocket.
The water shut off combined with the quick disconnect was great for those treeline #1 potty break hand washings lol (yes I disconnected the valve first).
A short video and pics showing some gear:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2NnrO_tthI
http://www.danpassaro.com/img/v7/p143668713.jpg
http://www.danpassaro.com/img/v9/p459828320.jpg