Any tips for rain gear?

[wherermykeys]

With CQB 1 coming up this Saturday and it calling for rain (I know I know, never trust the weatherman) anyone have any good tips on what kinda gear to bring and anything else in general to get ready for a day of shooting in the rain?

 

[Bolivar]

A rain suit that works with your vest/webbing/holster is good. Bib type pants might be a pain depending on how your pistol is holstered. I would recommend wearing your vest/webbing/pouches over top of your rain jacket. This past weekend I had to have my jacket open to access mags. I was too lazy to open the adjustments on my vest. Not the best for keeping dry.

Hungary is partial to milsurp Gortex since it was designed for shooting in the rain. Can't really argue with that logic.

I water proof ammo case/box is also likely a good choice, something you can open and close easily so the stuff inside is only exposed when you are grabbing rounds.

 

[Plink]

As a Sgt once told me when I was a lowly Pvt. "Don't worry son, your skin is 100% waterproof!"

Get something comfortable and not too bulky. I prefer something that fits UNDER all my gear so it's not in the way and getting caught on anything. Zipper front, not a poncho. Rain gear can warm you up pretty fast because it's not breathing much, so it's nice to have a zipper to pull down. A hood is nice, you can easily pull it down when shooting, up when bombing up mags etc. Personally, I never wear rain pants. Just a PITA for day shoots like this.
More importantly, wear layers of clothing you can remove easily if you start getting hot from the rain gear. You can always put it back on when you cool off, but don't get a chill. That sucks when it's pouring and 7 degrees.

I just bought a cheap black jacket pants outfit at a surplus store that's close to my work. Been using it for years.

 

[Beaver]

After some research... for better or for worse... I went with (German made) French Army goretex surplus. So far I am happy with it, but it may have cost me more than the U.S. Army goretex surplus stuff...

FRENCH MILITARY HEAVY DUTY GORETEX JACKET

http://cgi.ebay.ca/FRENCH-MILITARY-HEAVY-DUTY-GORETEX-JACKET-/280574457489?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=&hash=item870b541bcb

French Army Gore tex Gortex Trousers Max Waist 42". NEW

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_trksid=m570&_nkw=French+Army+Gore+tex+Gortex+Trousers

P.S.: You need to be quick... because fishermen love the French Army goretex... it is now harder to find and costs more than was mentioned in my research materials.

This is not advice... but my solution to the very same problem

 

[Denka]

check this out
w ww.opsgear.com/index/page/product/product_id/1346/category_id/319/category_chain/9,319/product_name/H2O+Proof+ECWCS+Gen+2+Parka

 

[Ganderite]

A wide brim hat, like the Tilley in my avatar keeps the rain off your glasses and neck.

 

[NavalSniper]

Really like the stealth suit that are available at many of the Army Kit Shops as well as local vendors like CPGear. I've always put the jacket underneath my first layer of clothing so everything is accessible. Very easy to re-condition with the Tech Washing solutions available at MEC and most outdoor hiking stores.

 

[sunray]

Went to a cheap vinyl rain suit after spending a pile of money on a rain jacket that was supposed to breath and didn't. Like Plink says, any of 'em will get hot if you're running around.

 

[Beaver]

Went to a cheap vinyl rain suit after spending a pile of money on a rain jacket that was supposed to breath and didn't. Like Plink says, any of 'em will get hot if you're running around.

I started out with semi-cheap camping rain gear and cooked in it, because it does not breath My own sweat that built up under the rubber made me more wet than I would have been from the rain :'(

So far, I really like the German made, French Army goretex -- they were made for this stuff and will work up at the cottage, camping, fishing, etc.

In other words, I totally agree with Hungry... but went a little further, trying to identify the "best" made military surplus

As for the Tru-Spec, H2O Proof ECWCS stuff... I was considering it in multicam but decided against it, because it sounded far too warm:

ECWCS is an abbreviation for:
Extended Cold Weather Clothing System

And I wanted something that could be used in the summer too.

I will investigate this "stealth" stuff, but it sounds like I would end up wearing wet clothing... and I have been looking at ways of making things accessible by ensuring that they can be placed over the rain gear (winter gear, or whatever else).

For example... I went with this so I could put my "duty" belt over anything:

Modular Padded Belt System

http://www.highspeedgearinc.com/proddetail.asp?prod=HSG-SGPB

DISCLAIMER: I am not providing any advice (because I am somewhat stupid), but am simply sharing my solution(s) to the same issue/challenge and my solution(s) are subject to change in the future.


NOTE: The London Bridge Trading Co. vest has "duty" belt loops, so that vest can also be placed over rain gear and be fitted with a "duty" belt using its belt loops or the modular padded belt system noted above can still be used

 

[Mauser GDog]

Have my eye on the Tru-Spec H2O Proof ECWCS stuff, and would use it as much for duck hunting as I would for shooting. Didn't realize how warm it might be, which would be great for duck, but not so much for muggy rainy days.

 

[greentips]

The army stuff is really good for sitting your ass in the trench, waiting for things to happen and getting rained on in the process. If you are going to move and fight, get a stealth suit or a lighter civie/mountaineering gortex jacket.

 

[wherermykeys]

Thanks guys. Good suggestions. I'm rethinking my decision to go with a belt holster now since I won't be able to reach it under my jacket. I wanted to keep things consistent for IDPA...

I think at 8 degrees with a 40km/h wind (that's what they're calling for now) I'm just going to wear my snowboard gear. It's fairly light and fully waterproof and breathable. Will still need to find something for those summer matches though...

 

[ol'blacky]

I'm reconfiguring my rig after the CQB clinic this weekend, and the pistol placement factors heavily into it. I am going with a leg rig (like many other shooters), and moving everything off my waist.

That way, I can add a layer of rain gear under my chest rig, and not have to worry about tucking it in so that I can get at things. I think I might get used to the chest rig for all the shooting I do, so that I'm reaching for the pistol and mags in the same place all the time.

Oh, and to stay on topic, I'll probably add a MEC rain jacket under it all. Bright yellow, if I can find it.

 

[Beaver]

Oh, and to stay on topic, I'll probably add a MEC rain jacket under it all. Bright yellow, if I can find it.

MEC Monsoon Jacket 2 (Men's) $195
http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442630605&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302699279

They have a wonderful Waterproof Jacket Comparison here:
http://www.mec.ca/Main/fyi.jsp?CONTENT%3C%3Ecnt_id=10134198674012255&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1408474396039420

Being money aware, I think my German made, French Army Gore-Tex costs about 1/3 the price... but they are "heavy duty" (which people that fish really like because they last longer), would stand out in an urban and possibly suburban area, and would be warmer than other materials in the two weeks of Canadian summer. For colder temperatures, layering works... Stealth suit is a very interesting alternative, but also a very expensive one

 

[Beaver]

<.. snip ..>I am going with a leg rig (like many other shooters), and moving everything off my waist.

That way, I can add a layer of rain gear under my chest rig, and not have to worry about tucking it in so that I can get at things. <.. snip ..>

I have more focus towards SR... for CQB a chest rig is completely unnecessary and got in the way of my partner's pistol draw.

Keeping with the idea that firearm(s) and ammunition should be layered on top of any protection (from sun, rain, cold weather, incoming bullets, etc) -- check this setup out for more ideas (CQB matches currently require 4 magazines and two triple magazine holders can hold 6 magazines).

To keep on topic... notice how easy it can be placed over rain gear? And, how comfortable it could be in our two weeks of summer?

However, there could be pistol draw issues if used with a chest rig

 

[Plink]

Saying "for CQB a chest rig is completely unnecessary" is a bit much, don't you think?? LOL

I suspect it depends more on what you plan to do with your rig that determines its necessity. Mine comes with a water bladder carrier built in so I'm hydrated on the line without carrying a water bottle, attaches my single point to it so the weight of my rifle is distributed, and is completely reconfigurable for whatever game it is that I'm playing. CQB / SR / other.
I can add as many mag pouches as needed, where ever needed, or other kit as required and have them placed where I want and not have a bunch of stuff weighing on my waist only.

I'm not trying to be argumentative, but there is a reason guys use them.


PS: you are wrong in your mag count. CQB requires 5 mags, not 4 for the rifle.
There is only one match which requires only 4 rifle mags. Perhaps you meant only 4 mags in pouches at one time?

 

[Shelldrake]

Really like the stealth suit that are available at many of the Army Kit Shops as well as local vendors like CPGear. I've always put the jacket underneath my first layer of clothing so everything is accessible. Very easy to re-condition with the Tech Washing solutions available at MEC and most outdoor hiking stores.

Concur with the stealth suit,, should be on everyone's list of must haves. Packs small, packs light, never leave home without it.
Pants are optional.

 

[ol'blacky]

I see what Beaver is driving at with the rain-gear issue. I have the ATS harness that looks similar to his; it has 4 integral mags and is faced with MOLLE. I added 2 pistol mags and a dump-pouch, all for about 150 bucks brand new. I can add another shingle of rifle mags out front if needed, for SR.

The whole thing comes on and off easily, and would fit over a parka.

I get Plink's points, though. His rig is pretty slick, and more adaptable than mine.

It all goes back to "what ever works for you".

Here's the key; whatever gear you get, take it out and practice with it to see if does in fact work.

 

[Beaver]

Saying "for CQB a chest rig is completely unnecessary" is a bit much, don't you think?? LOL

Sorry, I did not mean to offend. That said, if the focus is CQB... I will stick with my statement ("for CQB a chest rig is completely unnecessary", but that does not preclude its use).

Why?

Could leave water with ammo at the kit line... etc.

Lean and mean

Lighter to waddle more quickly along the range and less stuff to get in the way.

That said, it is whatever works for you... and an opportunity to experiment with stuff. I had a chest rig on... wanted to see how it would work. I wanted to be able to reconfigure what I wear easily to match the competition challenge that I am faced with. FYI: I found that my 2 quart pouch that I carry my SR ammo load out in, prevented me from being able to see my pistol drop holster, but it was easily removed because it was MOLLE attached.

It is always easy to have too much stuff... but there is a real art to having nothing more or less than what you really need.

I remember taking a lawn chair on a canoe trip -- what was wrong with that?

PS: you are wrong in your mag count. CQB requires 5 mags, not 4 for the rifle.
There is only one match which requires only 4 rifle mags. Perhaps you meant only 4 mags in pouches at one time?

Mute point, my friend. 2x tripple mag holders means a 6 magazine capacity with 1 more magazine in the rifle at the get go. I thought you said you did not want to argue. Guess I said something you did not want to hear and I apologize for that.

 

[Beaver]

Concur with the stealth suit,, should be on everyone's list of must haves. Packs small, packs light, never leave home without it.
Pants are optional.

Thanks, guys.

I was oblivious to the existence of a stealth suit.

At my age, my budget will prevent me from making it a priority this year, but it has made my list of must haves