CF and alternate optics.

[hoddie]

In '06 and '08, I was running a mix of Aimpoints, Eotechs, ACOGs, Millet DMS and I even had a S&B Short Dot (on loan from a friend, thanks Kev). Of course KAC rails were also used when we could get them. Chain of command on both tours were pretty soft on kit as well. Run what works, was and still is my rule.
Oakleys are the best eyewear out there IMHO. Issue stuff, as per the norm, was unreliable.
Just my $0.02
Hoddie

 

[BC_Guy]

Just curious, for those using non-issue optics, what was the most common method of attaching it to the CF rail? As I understand it, the rail is ever so slightly out of spec with most optics, and requires modding either the rail or the optic? Or are there some mounts that negate this problem?

 

[angryeyebrows]

Just curious, for those using non-issue optics, what was the most common method of attaching it to the CF rail? As I understand it, the rail is ever so slightly out of spec with most optics, and requires modding either the rail or the optic? Or are there some mounts that negate this problem?

Modify the mount....or modify the rail...seen it done It really depends on the sight and the mount. The Eotech requires no modification due it's slimmer cross bolt. The CF rifles have 14 narrower slots instead of the 13 on a regular upper.

 

[angryeyebrows]

Of course KAC rails were also used when we could get them.

We ordered a bunch of M5s direct from KAC and shipped them DHL. DHL will officially deliver ANYWHERE!

 

[hoddie]

Modify the mount....or modify the rail...

Concur with that. All my optics were in Larue mounts.

 

[Infantry-Soldier]

I had no trouble mounting EoTechs, ACOGs, or the issued Elcan on my C7. Used whatever mounts they came with.

 

[Farmboy]

some sort of non issue glove, a SF 6004 holster and aftermarket vest with some creative pouch placement

Mechanics gloves and a HSGI Warlord.

They pretty much can rock whatever they want, I don't realy care about how it was, this is how it is now.

As much as guys are told what they can wear before they go over, the amount of guys who order aftermarket vests after they arrive there is unreal.

It really is amazing how many guys come into the store and tell me they aren't allowed to wear such and such a rig. A month later that same person orders that specific rig and we ship it overseas to them.

That happened 3 times this week so far.

 

[Sinasta]

Oakleys are the best eyewear out there IMHO. Issue stuff, as per the norm, was unreliable.
Just my $0.02
Hoddie

Then you get guys who say the issued eyewear are better because they're "ballistics" and that Oakleys arent...

 

[KevinB]

LOL - I seen several pairs of Oakleys including Hoddies that have some rather impressive pieces of shrapnel in them...

 

[USP]

LOL - I seen several pairs of Oakleys including Hoddies that have some rather impressive pieces of shrapnel in them...

I think Oakley has one of the higher ANSI type safety ratings for ballistic protection. Are Oakleys better than Revisions though for impact, or just better for scratch protection?

 

[KevinB]

Depends on who you talk to, Tease the Soldier likes to claim that Oakley is worse, but I've never seen Oakley fail to stop anything but direct impact small arms rounds.

Frankly after Zylon etc, I don't trust the Canadian Military for safety ratings as far as I can go.

 

[Greg_VP]

Just in case anyone requires this small kernel of knowledge...

I just got back, was with the OMLT, used a Nightforce 1-4x... searched for a good long time to find rings to fit our silly weaver mount. Finally found some that worked, Leupold Mark 4 rings, the super high set cleared the FSP and allowed the optic to do it's thing at 1x.

ACOGs w/ issued trijicon mount, Eotechs, Leupold Mark 4's, the Troy and Matech BUIS are all optics/mounts that I know firsthand fit the CF issued uppers.

Aimpoint (all models and 3x Magnifier twist mount), Larue, ARMS mounts (Not that you'd want to use one) are all optics/mounts that I have seen NOT fit on CF uppers, not without significant modification that is.

Hope someone deploying down the line finds this useful, I know I would've before my tours!

 

[Sinasta]

Thanks for the info. How did your NF hold up over there?

 

[Greg_VP]

Thanks for the info. How did your NF hold up over there?

The NF is built like a tank, it took the abuse I gave it and never gave up zero. Batteries had a long life, can't give hour figures though, and since we didn't do alot of night patrolling with the ANA I didn't use the illuminated reticle alot anyway. Regardless, I'd keep the battery in for a month and it lit up whenever I needed it. The glass itself is outstanding as well, and the ability to use 1x when clearing a village, and 4x in the open was a huge plus.

Now holding, or losing, zero may be more the domain of the rings, and they demonstrated good return to zero on the few occasions when I had to swap my sighting systems (heading into KAF on leave, high ranking wog's poking around, that kind of thing).

 

[mmmmmsteak]

ggggggggggg

 

[shortandlong]

Then you get guys who say the issued eyewear are better because they're "ballistics" and that Oakleys arent...

Easy those people are stupid .....ballistics was always a selling point with oakley even before trashcanistan

Depends on who you talk to, Tease the Soldier likes to claim that Oakley is worse,

thats because they got a dog in the fight

x5 points for the name "Tease the Soldier"

lol

 

[olansky]

the only reason keeping me from signing up was the crappy gear thanks guys now ill sign up whenever i get in shape haha

 

[Armedsask]

the only reason keeping me from signing up was the crappy gear thanks guys now ill sign up whenever i get in shape haha

If gear was the thing keeping you out, probably best you stay out.

 

[olansky]

not just gear haha

and let me rephrase that haha it makes me want to join up faster knowing i can choose my own gear if they approve of it

 

[bdtyre]

It's rare, but I have seen the CivPol attached to infantry. They get issued plain tan CF-pattern combats, but are authorized to wear the OTW style shirts outside of the wire. I've also seen them with C7s and C8s, so depending on their actual job why not NVGs, PAQ4s and Surefires?

Our confirmatory ex in Wainwright had a couple of CivPol using PAQ4s.

The tour I just got off of had some wierd rules. Aftermarket rigs were good to go, as long as they were made by TT, HSGI, Felfab, Eagle, Arktis and one or two other companies. CP Gear was not included - odd since that is all the Canex sold.

The army RSM himself even said he gave up trying to stop people from wearing non-issued boots. The one stipulation (which I never saw enforced) was no zippers.

The gloves issued in Canada did not meet the safety requirements, so we were issued nomex crew gloves or Hatch gloves

Eyewear - issued or Oakley, ESS or Revision. Wiley X was a no go.

And then the wierdest rule of all - no shemaghs or scarves, other than the issued GREEN scarf. Even wierder when you consider they issue a tan scarf. But that was the direction from the task force RSM.

I love iternet bickering.

1) Never seen the RCMP guys issued NV
So that fact the guys have NV helmet mounts and PEQ/PAC's not to mention other things are not RCMP.

2) The lead man (or at least lead in the pic) has in addition to his TCCC patch Oakleys, some sort of non issue glove, a SF 6004 holster and aftermarket vest with some creative pouch placement -- I doubt he cares what someone things of his issue.
Sadly he does not have a RAS

Some people get a little to wet dreamy about gear selections or who can or can't.