Author Topic: Gear Modification  (Read 12029 times)

Offline Outonowhere

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Gear Modification
« on: September 13, 2011, 04:35:41 PM »
This thread will be about a series of short informational videos I will be doing on how to modify your clothing and gear.

Why is it important to know how, or even that you can and probably should modify your gear?  Because unless every item you own was made 100% to your specifications and solely FOR YOU, then it is a generic item that may not be comfortable to you or work just right.  By modifying your gear and equipment you can take something that just "works" for you to something that is "perfect" for you.  This is important for your personal gear because it is for YOU, no one else.  This would not necessarily apply to community gear unless it is a general modification to improve the gear overall.  You have to remember that most of this stuff is for an "OH SHNAP!" situation and that means three things:

1. You will probably wearing or using the gear for an extended period of time.
2. You have to know that it won't get hung up, tear, or fail when you need it most.
3. YOUR LIFE MAY VERY WELL DEPEND ON ITS EASE OF USE, DURABILITY, AND YES EVEN COMFORT.

So the following will be a brief something on each category and a link to the appropriate video.

1.  GM: Color

The most basic, yet one of the most important aspects of gear depending on its use and the situation is its color.  The color of your gear simply could be the difference between you blending in or standing out like a beacon, or it could be the difference between being taken as friend or foe.  It is also one of the easiest aspects to change depending on what color you are starting with.

For all colors, one way to change the pattern or color (depending on its size) is spray paint.  Don't laugh, it works.  Just ask Currahee of www.everycitizenasoldier.org.  Check out his rigs in the kit thread or on his site and you'll see what I mean.

Another effective method is to use fabric dye.  This stuff works great not only on most clothing but most nylon as well.  Now, if the material you are dyeing has a special water resistant or fire retardant coating it may take SEVERAL dye baths for the color to really change, but that's not a problem since you can save and reuse dye.  You may want to add more if you are reusing old dye baths and want a darker color to come out.  This works best when you want to take a khaki/tan color to a foliage, OD green or darker color.  Be aware that while it may be possible to lighten certain colors, I have not had any luck changing the color of a black chest rig using the whitener that's on the market.  And if you use harsh chemicals to do so, you may compromise the integrity of the material, so use caution.



2.  GM: Physical

This basically refers to changing anything physically on the gear or clothing to add comfort or usability to it.  For example, how I took the outside pouches off of my current rig and replaced them with MOLLE panels. (see my video here:
)  This could also mean adding padding to pack straps to make them more comfortable, or something as simple as adding zipper pulls. 
OVERLOOK NOTHING, UNDERESTIMATE NOTHING.
An added zipper pull to a pouch may allow quicker access to med supplies, or adding slight padding to an uncomfortable strap could mean the difference between a comfortable hike or constantly shifting the pack and ending up sore or worse.
JUST REMEMBER: KEEP IT SIMPLE, NOT STUPID.

I will go into this in more depth once I make the video.

3. GM: Camouflage

While you are actively changing some physical aspects of your gear with this modification, it does deserve its own section.  Here's why.

Nothing is easier to spot in the woods than a man in a tin pot wearing an LBE and carrying a howitzer of a rifle.  Let's face it, the human outline is pretty unique when it comes to nature.  So the goal here is to break that up.  Yes you can help this by using step 1 and using camouflage.  But even if your melon is white, orange, green, or black... it still looks like a damn melon!  Sniper's often are most thought of when it comes to this kind of camouflage with the use of ghillie suits. But even if you don't take the time, money and effort into making a ghillie... whatever, you can still make yourself less easier to spot from a distance.  Adding some local vegetation to your clothing or gear will help with this.  Just remember that pulling up a large patch of tall grass all in one area will be very noticeable, especially to the trained observer.  You can also add man made materials such as jute and burlap prior to being in the field to help with this.  Just remember that NONE of it should interfere with the use and operation of your gear.
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Offline Currahee

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Re: Gear Modification
« Reply #1 on: September 13, 2011, 08:23:18 PM »
Where in the video?  You sent me a link but it said it was taken down.
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Offline Outonowhere

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Re: Gear Modification
« Reply #2 on: September 13, 2011, 08:38:15 PM »
Where in the video?  You sent me a link but it said it was taken down.
So sorry man, that one didn't load right cause I ran out of time.  The link to the video is in the post, first section and your pics are about 0:54 minutes.
"A GREAT CONTRADICTION IS THE BELIEF IN STATES RIGHTS WHILE NOT SUPPORTING THE RIGHTS OF THE INDIVIDUAL."  - Me
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Offline Currahee

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Re: Gear Modification
« Reply #3 on: September 15, 2011, 08:06:58 PM »
This is a close up of the cammo I do on my gear (my belt is done similarly as well and my ruck will be soon enough)  This is coyote with OD spray painted splotches.  The green outline is from a paint pen.


The gear is pretty heavily modified - left to right you've got a  C.A.T. in the pistol mag pouch, three rifle mags (can be upped to six) 5 watt two meter HT Swedish military MORA in the second pistol pouch and a pressure dressing in an old school pouch on the strap.
Every citizen should be a soldier.  This was the case for the Greeks and Romans ans must be that of every free state. - T Jefferson

Offline JohnyMac

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Re: Gear Modification
« Reply #4 on: September 15, 2011, 08:31:14 PM »
Currahee,
where do you get the OD paint? I use camo spray paint for spraying wood and metal but would you use for cloth?
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Offline Currahee

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Re: Gear Modification
« Reply #5 on: September 15, 2011, 08:41:54 PM »
That is just krylon camouflage OD. 
Every citizen should be a soldier.  This was the case for the Greeks and Romans ans must be that of every free state. - T Jefferson

Offline Outonowhere

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Re: Gear Modification
« Reply #6 on: September 16, 2011, 03:39:52 PM »
***Please stand by for a Public Service Announcement***

While the application of Krylon brand spray paint to items can be productive and enjoyable, some things are just not meant to be painted.  Also, it is not recommended that you spray paint while intoxicated.  It's just not worth it.  So remember...


DON'T DRINK AND KRYLON!

***This has been a public service announcement.  Thank you***


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Offline M1919A

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Re: Gear Modification
« Reply #7 on: September 21, 2011, 07:52:28 PM »
I like the kit but for me i like the LBV ( Load bearing Vest ). You can carry enough mags for a simple patrol and can add different thing to the belt like a butt pack, canteens, and extra mag pouches as ling as you have room on the belt you can have as many mag as you want. you can add drop leg platforms for MOLLE pouches . wide sholder padas so the do not dig into your shoulders like Chinese chest rigs.

Offline Outonowhere

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Re: Gear Modification
« Reply #8 on: September 22, 2011, 03:30:30 PM »
I like the kit but for me i like the LBV ( Load bearing Vest ). You can carry enough mags for a simple patrol and can add different thing to the belt like a butt pack, canteens, and extra mag pouches as ling as you have room on the belt you can have as many mag as you want. you can add drop leg platforms for MOLLE pouches . wide sholder padas so the do not dig into your shoulders like Chinese chest rigs.

And there's absolutely nothing wrong with the LBV, time tested and proven.  Its all about personal preference and making your gear work for you, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND!
"A GREAT CONTRADICTION IS THE BELIEF IN STATES RIGHTS WHILE NOT SUPPORTING THE RIGHTS OF THE INDIVIDUAL."  - Me
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Offline thatGuy

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Re: Gear Modification
« Reply #9 on: September 22, 2011, 06:02:05 PM »
I have really enjoyed my $15 LBV.

Offline Outonowhere

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Re: Gear Modification
« Reply #10 on: September 22, 2011, 07:28:49 PM »
I have really enjoyed my $15 LBV.


I'm hoping once the REAL Army Surplus re-opens up here I can get some good shopping videos done.

Anyways, I would DEFINITELY recommend to any absolute newbie to gear, if you don't know what you want, don't know a chest rig from your ass in the ground and/or don't have a lot of scratch to throw into a rig...

GET WITH AN OLD TIMER THAT KNOWS A THING OR TWO AND GET AN LBV SETUP.

Or hell, there are a lot of places linked on here where you can find info on such a setup. 

Hmmmmm video idea maybe?
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"A GREAT CONTRADICTION IS THE BELIEF IN STATES RIGHTS WHILE NOT SUPPORTING THE RIGHTS OF THE INDIVIDUAL."  - Me
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Re: Gear Modification
« Reply #11 on: September 22, 2011, 07:45:42 PM »
I have really enjoyed my $15 LBV.

Been thinking about picking up a couple. Any place on the interwebz that sell em cheap, and ship to Canadastan?

Offline sledge

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Re: Gear Modification
« Reply #12 on: September 22, 2011, 08:07:30 PM »
I have really enjoyed my $15 LBV.

Where'd you find one for $15 thatguy?  That's a great price.

As a note.  The reason I went with an LBV is that many of them allow you to add a camelback and have enough space in pouches to allow you to use it for shorter excursion missions where you wouldn't want to take your pack. 



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Offline Outonowhere

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Re: Gear Modification
« Reply #13 on: September 22, 2011, 08:40:52 PM »
I have really enjoyed my $15 LBV.

Been thinking about picking up a couple. Any place on the interwebz that sell em cheap, and ship to Canadastan?

The Real Army Surplus down here USED to sell full 'starter' sets for $50 bucks.  When they reopen Ill see if they still have em.
"A GREAT CONTRADICTION IS THE BELIEF IN STATES RIGHTS WHILE NOT SUPPORTING THE RIGHTS OF THE INDIVIDUAL."  - Me
Han shot first!

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Re: Gear Modification
« Reply #14 on: September 22, 2011, 08:43:41 PM »
I have really enjoyed my $15 LBV.

Been thinking about picking up a couple. Any place on the interwebz that sell em cheap, and ship to Canadastan?

The Real Army Surplus down here USED to sell full 'starter' sets for $50 bucks.  When they reopen Ill see if they still have em.


Shit dude, that'll be awesome. If they do I might get you to pick me up 2 sets for me if you don't mind :))

Offline thatGuy

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Re: Gear Modification
« Reply #15 on: September 22, 2011, 11:36:23 PM »
http://www.ebay.com/itm/USGI-Vintage-Load-Bearing-Vest-Paintball-Vest-/200638278170#vi-content

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-MOLLE-II-DCU-Load-Bearing-Equipment-VEST-/150640192513#vi-content

The second one is what I am rocking and man its sweet.. sure some of the molle loops aren't to spec but how cool would it be to see a Ice Back sporting a US vest?