A'stan deployment weapon essentials?

Armedsask

Armedsask

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This a question to those who have been over. This summer or so a very good friend of mine is going over to Afghanistan for his first overseas deployment. I need to know what weapon accessories you guys recommend so I can get him kitted out before he deploys.

So far I'm thinking a bolt on rail (or railed hand guard) and vert grip is a must. Maybe a weapon light. Anything else? Not sure on how lenient his unit is on mods, I would love to get him something better than the Elcan.

He's an engineer, did his driver course so he may be operating a LAV. He may be issued the C8 for driving, I can't recall. I'll find out more soon.
 
If he is getting an A2 model C7/8, they are coming with vertical grips...troops were fitting their own, so the brass actaully listened and put them on. You are right though, you may have to wait and see what he gets.

The A2's come with a tri-rail system bolted to the foresight. I didn't like it, as it screws up the balance of the weapon. A 4-rail handguard would be a good idea. As for a weapon mounted light, unless he is kicking doors, I don't see a need for it.

Some guys had Eotech sights, issued possibly as they are in the system. I hate the C79 myself, I know I'd take an Eotech.

It will depend on his unit. The one I was with hated anyone not using issue stuff, others didn't give a crap. One thing I would get for the next tour is a Tac Vest that holds more than 4 magazines, as you are issued 10.
 
Tacvest is a no brainer, we're already on that. So far I'm looking at getting him maybe a 4 rail handguard or at least some bolt on rails. I'm aware of how s**tty the Triad mount is. Also, a Vickers sling, BLU pad kit for his helmet, and maybe an Eotech.

A few other general use items are likely as well. The way I see it is for the first time in a long time I won't be there to cover his ass so I want to send him with the best gear I can.
 
A Ruger 10/22 with subsonic ammo, SKS-D with NcStar scope and a Desert Eagle .50AE, I get great head shots with it.
 
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When I was there we were issued Surefire lights and PEQ-2/4 lasers for our rifles. We ended up buying a few other things ourselves from the PX in Kandahar like slings and single mag pouches for the buttstocks. A few guys brought rail systems and optics over with them.
 
good call jerry. Lets keep serious on this one folks,
My advice is to get a couple of Magpuls and a good sling. I think the system still frowns upon major unauthorized changes to the weapons.
Keep your head down over there troop.
 
do not get pressure activated switches ... they are prone to failure.

the best thing you could get him ios a bolt on single point sling mount and a single point sling..... has to be so he does not have to take the weapon apart to install.
 
Blue Force Gear Redi-Mod
Blue Force Gear VCAS sling
Surefire G2 light (SF scout is lighter but more $)
KAC M4 or M5 RAS (depending upon C8 or C7)
VLTOR Light mount (for G2)
KAC Vert grip (or TD or Larue grips)
KAC 300m BIS

Nice to have's

Trijicon ACOG or Aimpoint T1
Magpul MIAD
Magpul CTR or VLTOR EMOD
 
There's already a hardpoint for a sling on the C7A2 and on C8's that's perfect for single-point slings.

Back-up sights are good since the issued ones are crap anyways. And if he'll have a C8, one that's high enough to co-witness with the Eotech.

And depending on his command, he might or might not be allowed his own chest rig/tacvest so buyer beware here.
 
when i went over with 1-08 our options of changing the config of our rifles were limited because brass didnt allow it. i had a KAC RAS M5 that KAC was nice enough to DHL it to us (it was hand delivered not through the military system but the AFGHAN DHL system!). we were not allowed to change the buttstock, or the C79. vickers sling is a must. we were issued insight M3X weapon lights with the tape switch (they were horrid). a good light is a must, because they were used to warn drivers to GTFO. rail systems is a must because guys were mounting the PEQ2/PAQ4's on the bolt on rails to the plastic hand guards and were losing their zero. triad mount was the first thing to go because its a pos and prone to breakage. almost everyone wore TT MAVs. EOTechs were issued only. even if yours is the same model as the issued (512) you still cant use em. BUIS just in case the C79 dies. CP gear OTW shirts was great. 2 pairs of good boots, i wore the blackhawk desert operations boots and i really liked em. the issued boots dont breath well and your feet will look like prunes. if they run out of boots in your size like they did with us, DO NOT accept the steel toe ones they offer you for obvious reasons. a GOOD head lamp, pezel ones are great yet cheap. the issued one is this energizer one from canadian tire which is a pieces of 5H1T. this is all i can come up with for now, hopefully it helps.
 
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does anyone have a picture of the attachment point for the single point sling.... depending on model they may need a certain attachment, like HK clip type or something
 
+1 for the 9mm holster. That is a must, as the Bianchi holsters are really bulky and a pain in the LAV or Bison. I used one in and it would get hung up when I was entering or exiting the turret. Around KAF and the FOBs it was OK though.

I very strongly agree with Savage - do not modify any of the personal protective equipment or the weapon you are issued. Modifications to service kit is a service offense, and may be unsafe as it has not been tested.
 
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