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Post by pxranger on Jan 11, 2011 18:29:51 GMT -5
I'm looking for some advice on a "Green" contractor-ish load-out based on Michigan's environment. I'm tired of the usual black polo and khaki pants look, when we all know PMCs don't spend all their time operating in the desert.  I've kept in mind non-current US Military issue clothing. My choice in clothing for Michigan's warm(and sometimes wet) weather is: Tiger Stripe t-shirt, OD Green tactical pants, OD hat(ball or boonie), OD Austrian Gore-Tex M65 style coat for wet weather, and tan or black boots. I figured a list would help for reference. I know people have other good ideas for what works best here, but I won't get MC because the Army currently is being issued MC equipment.  My question would be, which color of a PC on green clothing would be considered to best suited for our environment, tan-khaki, or black? I see both colors in MI's wooded areas, but I don't want to break my silhouette. It might help too if I state that I spend a lot of time on the ground crawling. If you do have some other good ideas(not sarcasm), I'm open to em'. |
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Post by Knief on Jan 11, 2011 18:36:48 GMT -5
Anything but black. You do not see true black in any wooded environment in Michigan, you see dark shadows. Black, on the other hand, almost never appears anywhere in nature in large patches. Black gear stands out terribly against the browns and greens in the woods, and it will make it much more difficult to camouflage yourself.
Coyote Brown or Olive Drab would be best, depending on what look you're going for. Khaki or a lighter tan would do, but you might find it a little bright.
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Post by pxranger on Jan 11, 2011 18:46:39 GMT -5
I had thought about CB or an OD PC, but I have found a deal at botach on a PC that I can't resist. However, it only comes in tan-khaki and black. I should have thrown that in there.  The tan-khaki seems to be that tanish-yellowish-greenish color. |
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Post by Knife on Jan 11, 2011 18:52:46 GMT -5
Khaki, Coyote Brown, Olive Drab or Ranger Green for gear. Ranger Green might be a bit more plausible than OD these days. As Knief said, avoid large bits of black. Belts/slings/holsters are mostly minimal and you can get away with that.
For clothing, you might look into a Sage Flightsuit. There might not be precedent for said color used, but its not a far jump if one is expecting combat/frequenty riding in vehicles. Contractors in Iraq have been seen wearing Tan Flightsuits for the fire retardant capabilities of them. Don't go with any camo patterned T shirts, as they look weird. Look into 5.11 gear as its popular among contractors, at least clothing wise. Depending on how you're planning on setting up a kit, a helmet might not be an awful idea either.
I'd also be careful with Botach, they're pretty shady and have an iffy service record...
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Post by Knief on Jan 11, 2011 19:07:31 GMT -5
It's the Blackwater plate carrier, isn't it? You're better off with Khaki than black. But you might be able to find something else for the same price range that suits you better. Check out the commerce section here, I know there are a bunch of PCs up for sale for a decent price.
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Post by Thor on Jan 11, 2011 19:10:22 GMT -5
I'd search for some pictures of either Triple Canopy in South America, or Executive Outcomes in Africa. Either should provide more of a green colored look for you.
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Post by Knife on Jan 11, 2011 19:10:29 GMT -5
You might also look into the Ranger Green Combat Uniform from Crye Precision. Pricey but well worth it, and its something that's entirely plausible as well. Plus their pants are stupid comfortable/awesome.
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Post by Thor on Jan 11, 2011 19:15:08 GMT -5
To add a bit to brands of clothing you could look at that Knife mentioned above, you could also look at Eotach or Woolrich tactical clothing lines.
And I've ordered plenty of stuff from Botach with no issues, but mileage may vary for other people.
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Post by pxranger on Jan 11, 2011 19:25:51 GMT -5
I was in the middle of responding when my thread got locked and moved. Thought I did something wrong.  I must be one of the few that fell through the cracks. I've dealt with them also(Botach) before and had no problems. [knocks on wood] To tell you the truth, Knife, I had thought about the 5.11 shirts, but I figured the TS would camouflage my shoulders when lying down. I've seen pictures of contractors in those suits, but I don't dig the flight suit, although I understand the practicality of FR. Plus, isn't sage USAF? I guess the look that I'm aiming for is something like "current corporate meets old rugged and humid" while saving my wallet from spending all my dough at TAD Gear. And yes, it is the the BW IO LBV for me, and the Zip-Rack for me and a buddy. I was wondering if I was being obvious. Just don't want the damn things to be sold out in a couple days. BW probably isn't most peoples' first choice, but they are combat proven, which makes them quality, IMO. But I can't find the IO LBV for their price, in CB, OD or RG. It was hard enough to find BW 's Hard Armor PC in-stock, but the cheapest place that did have it, wanted an extra forty-eight dollars on top of the forty I would be spending for the IO LBV from botach. I'd most definitely get the IO LBV in CB or RG. Funny you mention EO Tac, Thor. Get out of my mind. Plus, now you know why I wanted to go with a "Green" contractor load-out. Mike Hoare meets modern warfare. Something different from the usual desert contractor. **I should also state that I'm setting this rig up for DM. I was going to make this set-up extremely simple, organized, and clean(with the exception of actually getting dirty). |
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Post by pxranger on Jan 11, 2011 23:07:54 GMT -5
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Post by pxranger on Jan 14, 2011 0:12:05 GMT -5
After listening to the advice, going over it more and more, a couple of things rang around in my head. Coyote brown, 5.11, and refraining from impulse buying(Thor's advice to someone in another thread). My homework for a CB PC, thus far, has lead me to this: www.airsoftsmith.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=31_77&products_id=2986tollis's CB Mar-CIRAS would be my second choice except for two things- I don't know the size yet, and I haven't seen any set up for an SR-25 which leads me to fear the goofy looking factor. Although, the Pantac PC looks much smaller and more maneuverable. I would go with a chest rig and back-pack, but I want to keep my sides better protected than what I have seen. Don't want any PACA armor. My question now, is, do any fellow patrons have current or past experience with the Pantac low-pro PC in the link provided? Does/did the cummerbund sag after prolonged use? I'm looking to hear about it's durability issues and how well or bad it performs. |
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Post by Thor on Jan 14, 2011 2:03:23 GMT -5
Looks like a copy of the LBT 6094. So, not a bad choice for a platform overall. Thing is, you could sit and think forever over what rig to get. It's really only going to make a difference if you decide to do an impression based on a military group (SEALs, Marines, Army, etc). If you're going for a contractor loadout, really they're going to use whatever they want. So, some guys might buy LBT, or Eagle, or HSGI, or some might even run surplus Soviet or Chinese shit. It's really all going to come down to what will work for you. Modern green loadout pictures are probably going to be few and far between at the moment, so feel free to take some creative licensing.
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Post by pxranger on Jan 14, 2011 2:56:31 GMT -5
It is a copy. Well, a copy of a copy. A.S. has a LT 6094, but in khaki. www.airsoftsmith.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=31_77&products_id=2247The products' names are different from each other, but their item codes are the same. I hear ya about finding decent current pictures of PSFs and PMCs in the jungle. I seen some photos of EO contractors in Africa, but they were dressed like the locals to blend in, also having Russian weaponry. Then the thing to do now would be to imagine current PMCs in the Middle East having to switch gears from hot and dry, to more humid temperatures. So far, from what I have seen from Middle Eastern contractor pictures and video, I've seen a little bit of everything being used. Usually in some way though, most still look corporate. |
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Post by Tollis on Jan 17, 2011 17:13:09 GMT -5
The CB Mar CIRAS is sized large.
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