Tactical Combat Vest Advice

[pugs144]

That's because airsoft use doesn't necessarily equal real-world use so the gear is rarely tested to it's limits. Blackhawk may very well be good enough for dealing 6mm plastic death.

[ert]

That is true. BH is more then capable for airsoft needs. I am still an avid HSGI fan though so I won't concede that the quality is the same... haha. When I buy kit though, for the most part, I look for something that I can use at work as well as airsofting and BH just doesn't fit the bill for me.

[firemachine69]

Never tried any HSGI stuff on (BHI, TT, and Tiger Tac here), so I'm hoping someone at PB Nation has some HSGI for me to fondle.



(Also someone there has the Eagle CIRAS... Really curious as to seeing why the price tag is so high. )

[GunMaster]

Thanks for the advice people...I get the impression their are some Blackhawk haters out there, I would like to know if they just plain hate blackhawk based on pure bias? or have they actually used the vest I have boought? The vest is not the standard version it is the elite version, which has way more options than the non-elite versions.

I bought the BH vest after carefully looking at all the other gear and to be quite honest this vest looked to fit my needs better then any of the other ones and for a good price...$210 shipped...I am not into getting the modular vests and buying all the pouches seperately for it...also I am not trying to copy a specific military loadout.

I don't plan on using the vest just for airsoft...I will be using it for shooting/hunting as well.

The vest holds shotgun shells and magazines, has web gear attachments, setup for hydration system, tons of adjustment straps for proper fitting, pouches for supplies, zipper and buckles, sniper shoulders etc...

When I recieve the vest, I will let you guys know what I think of it.

[firemachine69]

I like my BHI, I got it nearly unused for an excellent price. (100 shipped - and the rarer leftie model, too). For the price, even new, it's good. Tiger Tactical, although they *do* make vests that are roughly the same price, take forever to get your stuff. I've waited for no less then three months each time I ordered. Tactical Taylor, got my MAV from an Ebay auction from Lightfighter, got it ASAP, and I hear their turnaround is a bit better. Personally, for airsoft, TT/BHI is dam hot stuff for the price. I'm working up no getting a full weekend off (FRI-SAT-SUN) for my restricted PALs, AR-180B seems to be what I'll be picking up first (well, second, need a shottie to go skeeting with my cousin on my days off ).

Pugs:

Dunno, some people are dam rough on their gear, trying to do all that funky John Woo stuff.

Originally Posted by ert

BHI stuff is garbage IMHO. It is basically entry level gear made cheaply. People swear by BHI, but that's because they haven't used any truly good kit like HSGI... Seriously, good kit is worth it. Cheap stuff is just that... cheap.

You might want to reevaluate that statement. I've owned gear by just about every manufacturer out there, including Paraclete, HSGI, SoTech, TT, and others. I've used mid-range gear, low-end gear and High-end gear, and I manufacture high-quality custom gear that, to date, I've never heard reports of failures or discontent by those who purchase it.

I regularly perform modifications to equipment for others, and as such I've seen the internal construction of ALL the manufacturers. What you see on the outside is only part of the story. When I take apart a piece of high-speed equipment (not HSGI per say) and see that the cordura hasn't been heat-cut, where BHI's cordura HAS been, I know that it can take much more abuse because the material WILL NOT FRAY beyond the stitching, which is responsible for MOST long-use kit failures. When I look at BHI and see that every stitch end has been heat sealed (nylon thread melted to a ball at the end of the stitch), it means something. When I see that their velcro is MILSPEC and not Chinese it means something. When I see that their bartacks are somewhere in the neighborhood of 500 stitches per inch, it's important.

BHI's recent pieces are ON PAR or BETTER than some of the pieces of "High Speed" equipment I've purchased at 10X the cost in the past. The Recon Husky Chest Harness with the rear plate carrier is probably one of the best pieces of kit I've ever owned. It's guaranteed for LIFE, and if it gets shot up or exploded it won't cost me $800 to replace it. I HAVE loaded my BHI and other rigs with REAL STEEL loadouts, and they're every bit as comfortable and durable as any of the high-end pieces.

So please, if what you're stating is your opinion, be sure to mark it as such.

[firemachine69]

+1 Morb

Even on Lightfighter, people like the STRIKE lineup. Only real "gripe" is that it's manufactured off-shore... Then some people immediately associate that with poor quality (which definitely isn't always the case).

[pugs144]

Folks on LF.net dislike the STRIKE line not because of any preconcieved notions of foreign made gear being of lower quality, it's because it's a copy of a US-made Eagle Industries line that's manufactured in communist Vietnam. These guys are former/current US military so what is unacceptable to them as far as where gear is manufactured might not seem like a big deal to civilians.

[Bunny]

I've owned/used almost every brand of kit over the years, high end and low end. I like to get dirty and try to actually use the stuff. The only brand-name gear I've ever had fail on me was Blackhawk, on two seperate occasions. Fastex buckle warped and busted, velcro stitching came unravelled and came off.

That being said, it's more than enough for airsoft (or like some people here, posing in their living rooms while being careful not to get their kit dirty).

I've never had a piece of BHI kit fail yet and I find it hard to imagine that the newer buckles in use would fail. That being said, any buckle can fail if it passes the QA by mistake.

What pieces failed on you (year of manufacture, model, etc)?

Pugs - I've heard that argument before as well. Not up to me to tell a US troops how to think, and not up to me to change their minds either. If they want to pay more money because it's made in Americaland, that's their call.

IMO, more people dislike STRIKE because it's not cool to like BHI.

[Bunny]

It was a canteen holder and a mag pouch, respectively. I'm at work right now so that's about as specific as I can get, but I think I probably still have them somewhere. both were bought used in excellent condition.

I realize that fastex just break sometimes, no biggie -the velcro was a bit of a downer. Now would I condemn BHI over it? -no. Just my experience.

I had the recon chest harness before as well, never had a problem with it. Same with a couple holsters, many pouches, padded belt, harness, etc... so I'm not doing the trendy hating thing.

Oh ya, I toasted an untoastable alta kneepad too.

Funny, I've done that too. A lot of "unbreakable" kit should probably have an asterix...

* unless used.

[pugs144]

Originally Posted by Bunny

Oh ya, I toasted an untoastable alta kneepad too.

Bunny, you can unravel ball bearings and break anvils :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

j/k dude.

Morbius: I hear ya on the STRIKE stuff. Gucci-snobbery aside it's truly excellent gear for the price plus it's readily available.

[GunMaster]

The new "elite" line of the Blackhawk stuff is on par or better than any other gear out there. I bought my vest from a guy who is former USMC and now swat member, and I am certain he knows his stuff when it comes to gear. I doubt he would actually use the gear if it didn't meet the USMC standard.

His website is www.tacticalperformancegear.com

I have yet to recieve my vest but I am expecting it to be an awesome vest.