A'stan deployment weapon essentials?
- Thread starter Armedsask
- Start date
maple_leaf_eh
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I wasn't outside the wire, so my remarks are limited to a C7A2 as a fashion accessory. (My job can't be done outside and I'd get in the way on a patrol) But ... I saw some good looking accessories that stuck in my mind.
A front grip is good. One with a little bipod is better.
The issue cleaning kit is good, but in clinks. A Boresnake or Otis is better.
A single point sling is de rigeur to carry the rifle beside the leg over top of whatever extra gear they have.
The elastic Magpuls increase the diameter of mags, and they can get stuck in the issue Tac Vest.
A buttstock mag pouch is useful to change the balance, but my CPGear model is designed for the original C7 butt, and the elastic straps interfere with the cocking handle.
Guys hang all kinds of stuff on the front end. That makes the rifle heavy.
Anything that needs batteries better be easy to resupply without having to get on the internet or bringing all your spares from Canada.
A front grip is good. One with a little bipod is better.
The issue cleaning kit is good, but in clinks. A Boresnake or Otis is better.
A single point sling is de rigeur to carry the rifle beside the leg over top of whatever extra gear they have.
The elastic Magpuls increase the diameter of mags, and they can get stuck in the issue Tac Vest.
A buttstock mag pouch is useful to change the balance, but my CPGear model is designed for the original C7 butt, and the elastic straps interfere with the cocking handle.
Guys hang all kinds of stuff on the front end. That makes the rifle heavy.
Anything that needs batteries better be easy to resupply without having to get on the internet or bringing all your spares from Canada.
Good idea. An offset switch would be a good option as I went through two pressure switches over there. Once the switch is pooched you don't have a way to turn the light on when you need it.
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Start checking the EE and gunshops for deals. I managed to pick up the top portion of an M5 RAS for $40 because it was used and abused and the bottom rail was missing. Kept my eyes peeled and managed to pick up the bottom rail for another $25 on another forums EE. And no, it isn't airsoft.
I'd stay away from a single point sling. Vickers is the way to go.
I'd stay away from a single point sling. Vickers is the way to go.
Something I just thought about is getting his own mags for a Browning.
Granted, they'd be pinned to 10 rounds but if you need to use your pistol, well, you've already got bigger problems.
At least, if he gets crappy old mags, he'll have 2 that will feed reliably and not leave him hanging at the worst possible time.
And if he's not a RPAL holder, well, mags by themselves aren't restricted items (unless they're the evil full-cap ones)
Granted, they'd be pinned to 10 rounds but if you need to use your pistol, well, you've already got bigger problems.
At least, if he gets crappy old mags, he'll have 2 that will feed reliably and not leave him hanging at the worst possible time.
And if he's not a RPAL holder, well, mags by themselves aren't restricted items (unless they're the evil full-cap ones)
New High Power mags are in the system. I believe that majority of problems with the old mags is just that, they're old, springs have problably set somewhat in 60 years. I'd suggest purchasing new mag springs and followers to use in the issue mags if it's a concern, they should be good to go after that.
Hey, I lucked out and managed to get 2 of the new ones (swapped an old one for a new one with some camp rat who didn't even know what the wire looks like), but in the off-chance that all he can get are the old jam-o-matic ones...
Hi power mags are a good idea. Mine were so old and worn that a tap on the baseplate for a stoppage would send it and the rounds firing out of the bottom.
I bought and had sent into theatre some 10 round stainless steel Mecgar mags. These were very slick and I never had one stoppage after that. Eventhough I lost round capacity in the mag, I knew I could get all 10 rounds off without a stoppage if I needed them.
Magpuls are great. In the issue TV, the older rubber ones will hang up on the pouch. I replaced the follower and baseplate with Magpul parts and never looked back. The ranger plate is the best option.
Not sure if this is still working or not, but the US Post Office runs an APO for the Canadian Contingent. Alot of us ordered stuff from the States and had it come right into theatre. Again, I am not sure if this is still up and running, but worth a look. There is also the option of buying stuff from guys rotating out. Most guys will have no use for all the flashy gear back home. I know there is still a short barrel for the C9 LMG that has been passed on from gunner to gunner through at least 4 tours now and it's still ticking.
Hoddie
I bought and had sent into theatre some 10 round stainless steel Mecgar mags. These were very slick and I never had one stoppage after that. Eventhough I lost round capacity in the mag, I knew I could get all 10 rounds off without a stoppage if I needed them.
Magpuls are great. In the issue TV, the older rubber ones will hang up on the pouch. I replaced the follower and baseplate with Magpul parts and never looked back. The ranger plate is the best option.
Not sure if this is still working or not, but the US Post Office runs an APO for the Canadian Contingent. Alot of us ordered stuff from the States and had it come right into theatre. Again, I am not sure if this is still up and running, but worth a look. There is also the option of buying stuff from guys rotating out. Most guys will have no use for all the flashy gear back home. I know there is still a short barrel for the C9 LMG that has been passed on from gunner to gunner through at least 4 tours now and it's still ticking.
Hoddie
I'm sure he'll do this but my idea was I pick up the high price items he might not see the need to spend the money on. Then when he gets back, I get my stuff back and flog it on the EE as genuine Afghanistan used equipment.
Never thought of Hipower mags. These are the ideas I like to hear, stuff that never crossed my mind.
Any opinion from the BTDT crew on the Troy MRF-DI carbine rail? I just picked one up recently for my own rifle, and it seems to me that it would fit the bill for Bryce's buddy, M203 compatible, drop in installation, and so on. Plust the $150 price tag is pretty reasonable.
Thank you Hoddie, few people could've said it better than that.
Are you for real? Firstly, how could a rail system cause a malfunction in your weapon? There were alot of Acogs being used overthere as well and I can tell you once zeroed, they shoot to point of aim. No charges or extras were issued by me or to my troops. Mods to weapons that are permanent are what is not allowed. Add on parts are just that, add ons. By the way I am in the reg force and of high enough rank to set the example to my followers.
Personally over my 2 tours I ran the following:
- Eotechs (issued and my own)
- Short Dot in a Larue mount
- Aimpoints in various mounts
- Troy BUIS
- Larue BUIS
- PRI Gasbuster cocking handle
- Vltor, Magpul and LMT stocks
- Magpul MAID grips
- KAC, Samson, DD rails
- All types of rail covers
- Surefire lights of various designs
- Redimags
- Pmags and mags with Magpul internals
- BFG slings
- Harris bipods
I have run all kinds of parts on my pers weapon. Once they were attached and zeroed, I trusted them to do what they were designed to do. Our failures at getting parts that work need to be addressed at a higher level. That pos Cadex grip and bolt on rail are junk. Not to mention the triad rail. Buy a quality rail system like KAC or even DD or MI. Put a decent front grip like TD on it and way you go. The pistol grips are garbage too. Those that have carried their weapons in the shoulder for hours on end know that little nub on the grip is annoying, not to mention the gap in the trigger guard. With this, the cheap stock that was added should have been something more useful. A place to store batteries and a better cheekweld should have been considered. Optics were personal choice for us, but knowing that you could ID targets at distance and then engage them accurately was a blessing. The C79 has all kinds of issues, which have been discussed here at length.
In the end, those of us who "modified" their weapons did it to enhance performance and maximize reliability.
Don't talk about what you may know until you have walked a few klicks in my unissued Oakley desert boots through Pashmul.
And with that, YMMV.
Hoddie
- Location
- On the beach
I have been running my C8 with a quad rail, vert grip, Paq4, Issued (crap) light and an Eotech with a 4x magnifier. It's a good rig but probably overkill for anyone who is driving....I also use Magpul P-Mags I got here at the PX.
My Sig 226 is stock issue except for a set of Hogue rubber grips.
I'll see if I can hunt up a pic soon.
Hoodie, the APO box is still up but you have to have parcels come from a person now. No more recieving boxes from companies........stupid rules. It seems to be a result of the boys ordering some questionable bodybuilding supplies.
My Sig 226 is stock issue except for a set of Hogue rubber grips.
I'll see if I can hunt up a pic soon.
Hoodie, the APO box is still up but you have to have parcels come from a person now. No more recieving boxes from companies........stupid rules. It seems to be a result of the boys ordering some questionable bodybuilding supplies.
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All I carry these days is the C8 with some quad rail system I bought off an outgoing patricia, with the crappy PAQ4 and issue "near-surefire". I dropped on my own ergogrip (makes a world of difference in a day). I only carry my pistol when I want in the FOB, and thats all I use it for, it never comes out on patrol or ops with me. I carry the 870P instead. As for optics, I am still trying to get myself an ACOG or the elcan spectre DR. For now I am using the C79. I also got issued the EOTech, but useless as tits on a nun for most of the areas I have been going to. Surprisingly, the whole tour thus far, my C79 has held its zero, and kept a lot of "Dushman" down until the arty hits. I have had no stoppages of any kind with the rifle or issued mags.
Pro Patria.
- Mac
Pro Patria.
- Mac
JDForBrkFst
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Roughly North Central AB
hoddie said:
From last August on the APO was shut down. I don't know if they brought it back but when I left it was still a no go.
F'ckin spot on Bevin !
