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Posted: 11/13/2013 12:20:01 PM EDT
Spec-Ops has their Recon Ruck Ultra marked down from $140.00 to $89.95, with an additional 20% off if code "FALL13" is entered:http://www.specopsbrand.com/tactical-gear/clearance-blow-outs/recon-ruck-ultra.html
The 20%-off code is apparently good site-wide, although the fine print says some restrictions. Basically it's a slightly smaller version of the medium ALICE pack, with some upgrades. If you are going to use this pack with the GI ALICE frame, consider adding a HUMP bladder carrier, which nestles between the pack frame and the pack. Also note the wide choice of colors/camo, including Multicam. Disclaimer: no financial interest |
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Is this compatible with the down east 1606 frame? View Quote I don't know for sure, since I just ordered mine, but my guess is yes. After looking closely at the pix on SpecOps site, I don't see anything that would prevent this pack from being mounted on the Abn frame from DE. Of course, you will need a MOLLE waistbelt and shoulder straps for the Abn frame. Since it is a little smaller than the GI Med ALICE pack, maybe a real frame would not be necessary. I think I'll try it without a frame for a while, and assess. YMMV. |
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Thank you, raf. I recently checked the SOB site since I was ready to order this pack at $89, but they had raised the price to $126 so I decided to wait. I was going to buy the MALICE pack from TT during the sale, but I would rather get this pack in multicam. Now that it's back down to $89, with an additional 20% off, that's a screaming deal.
I will be ordering the DEI ALICE-compatible frame. If it doesn't fit the recon ruck, I will mount my medium ALICE on it. I buy packs like a woman buys shoes. Sigh. |
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Quoted: Thank you, raf. I recently checked the SOB site since I was ready to order this pack at $89, but they had raised the price to $126 so I decided to wait. I was going to buy the MALICE pack from TT during the sale, but I would rather get this pack in multicam. Now that it's back down to $89, with an additional 20% off, that's a screaming deal. I will be ordering the DEI ALICE-compatible frame. If it doesn't fit the recon ruck, I will mount my medium ALICE on it. I buy packs like a woman buys shoes. Sigh. View Quote I shopping carted it, applied the FALL13 code and got both the discounted #89.95 price plus the 15% off, so the price $89 is still good, Bro. |
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I shopping carted it, applied the FALL13 code and got both the discounted #89.95 price plus the 15% off, so the price $89 is still good, Bro. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Thank you, raf. I recently checked the SOB site since I was ready to order this pack at $89, but they had raised the price to $126 so I decided to wait. I was going to buy the MALICE pack from TT during the sale, but I would rather get this pack in multicam. Now that it's back down to $89, with an additional 20% off, that's a screaming deal. I will be ordering the DEI ALICE-compatible frame. If it doesn't fit the recon ruck, I will mount my medium ALICE on it. I buy packs like a woman buys shoes. Sigh. I shopping carted it, applied the FALL13 code and got both the discounted #89.95 price plus the 15% off, so the price $89 is still good, Bro. Yep, I ordered. Thank you!! |
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Just confirming for ya'll that the Recon Ruck Ultra does fit DEI' s 1606ac , exceptionally well.
Its a smaller sized ruck sack, and with the stout 1606ac (compared to the 1603), it fits great. Still enough room for an MSS pouch on the bottom. Not really a complaint, just noting: the webbing on the bottom of the RRU needs some modifying to make better use of it lashing capabilities. I have not performed the mod yet, but all im going to do is cut the straps, add some SR buckles at each end so I can attach a longer lashing strap, that also has SR buckles, when I need an MSS pouch. And when I don't need the pouch ill release the lashing strap and connect the buckles on each strap to keep them out of the way. Does that explanation make sense? Only reason I haven't done the mod is I've been putting off getting the webbing to make some lashing/compression straps. A question I have: Will the side-release quick-release buckles be able to hold up the weight of the MSS pouch with out breaking the buckles? I'm thinking the most weight I'd put in the pouch is 15 pounds, and thats probably a lot more than I will load in reality.. |
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Just confirming for ya'll that the Recon Ruck Ultra does fit DEI' s 1606ac , exceptionally well. Its a smaller sized ruck sack, and with the stout 1606ac (compared to the 1603), it fits great. Still enough room for an MSS pouch on the bottom. Not really a complaint, just noting: the webbing on the bottom of the RRU needs some modifying to make better use of it lashing capabilities. I have not performed the mod yet, but all im going to do is cut the straps, add some SR buckles at each end so I can attach a longer lashing strap, that also has SR buckles, when I need an MSS pouch. And when I don't need the pouch ill release the lashing strap and connect the buckles on each strap to keep them out of the way. Does that explanation make sense? Only reason I haven't done the mod is I've been putting off getting the webbing to make some lashing/compression straps. A question I have: Will the side-release quick-release buckles be able to hold up the weight of the MSS pouch with out breaking the buckles? I'm thinking the most weight I'd put in the pouch is 15 pounds, and thats probably a lot more than I will load in reality.. View Quote Try these:http://www.supplycaptain.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=900&ParentCat=30 |
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Try these:http://www.supplycaptain.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=900&ParentCat=30 View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Just confirming for ya'll that the Recon Ruck Ultra does fit DEI' s 1606ac , exceptionally well. Its a smaller sized ruck sack, and with the stout 1606ac (compared to the 1603), it fits great. Still enough room for an MSS pouch on the bottom. Not really a complaint, just noting: the webbing on the bottom of the RRU needs some modifying to make better use of it lashing capabilities. I have not performed the mod yet, but all im going to do is cut the straps, add some SR buckles at each end so I can attach a longer lashing strap, that also has SR buckles, when I need an MSS pouch. And when I don't need the pouch ill release the lashing strap and connect the buckles on each strap to keep them out of the way. Does that explanation make sense? Only reason I haven't done the mod is I've been putting off getting the webbing to make some lashing/compression straps. A question I have: Will the side-release quick-release buckles be able to hold up the weight of the MSS pouch with out breaking the buckles? I'm thinking the most weight I'd put in the pouch is 15 pounds, and thats probably a lot more than I will load in reality.. Try these:http://www.supplycaptain.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=900&ParentCat=30 Will do. Thanks RAF! Coincidentally, I have Snap Dragon buckles on the straps that are on my Recon Ruck. |
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They've lowered the price on their THE packs again...
Some really good deals to be had. |
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Received my Recon Ruck the other day. Well-constructed. Very little finishing work required. Little to add to the two reviews above except the following:
1) There are no drain grommets in the bottom of the main compartment of the pack. Two or three #2 grommets should be added, similar to the original ALICE. 2) The two top straps that secure the top flap and which are also vertical compression straps are too short, so only the smallest item can be strapped onto the top of the pack. They should be lengthened, similar to the original ALICE. 3) The two straps on the bottom of the pack are too short to allow anything to be secured to the bottom of the pack. They should be lengthened, and QD, adjustable side-release buckles added. An alternative approach would be to add two webbing loops, exactly as was done on the original ALICE packs, which would allow use of the USGI MOLLE Modular Sleeping System Carrier, the USGI MOLLE waist pack, or long webbing loops with adjustable QD buckles could also be used. 4) At least one, and possibly two horizontal compression straps should be added. 5) The pack, if worn without a frame, should have a frame sheet added. 6) No map pocket on the pack's lid, as has the ALICE pack. 7) No snow collar--although the ALICE also lacks this feature. Many of these features, with the possible exception of an optional frame sheet, map pocket, and the snow collar could have been incorporated into the original construction of the pack, adding very little extra cost in materials/labor, but adding very considerably to the utility and value of the pack itself. Fortunately, most any user can add most of these these features by themselves at little cost and /or effort. As things stand, the as-bought pack is still an excellent deal for the sale price. To reiterate, a few very low-cost features added to this pack would enhance its' value and utility greatly. |
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are the inside seams taped?
what do u think, add a Multicam Kifaru Pod for fartsack in lieu of the Molle sleep system carrier? and a claymore pouch on top of the lid? its a shame they didnt use Multicam printed tape on thee outside, that would have looked hot. |
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The inside seams are not taped, they are left unfinished.
Yep, the lid has 8 channels of PALS webbing, perfect for Kifaru Claymore, Emdom Wide Load, even the EOD bag but at 7 channels the EOD bag is more suited for the face of the RAID pack. |
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are the inside seams taped? what do u think, add a Multicam Kifaru Pod for fartsack in lieu of the Molle sleep system carrier? and a claymore pouch on top of the lid? its a shame they didnt use Multicam printed tape on thee outside, that would have looked hot. View Quote There are no exposed fabric edges anywhere in the inside of the pack-- I just double-checked. Every fabric edge is bound with what appears to be thick grosgrain or thin webbing, depending on how you look at it. The only exposed fabric edges are on the outer edges of the two outer pockets, on the inside of the pocket. That fabric there is properly sear-cut. The no-sew user simply has to install two field-expedient buckles on either end of the short straps on the bottom of the pack. Four lengths of webbing can be threaded through the stationary field-expedient buckles, and then back-threaded to anchor those ends. The four remaining running ends of webbing can have Dual Adjust, side release QD buckles attached. Or one could use two FE buckles, and two FE single-adjust QD side-release buckles. The compression straps would be anchored on one side by FE buckles (back-threaded), and on the other side by FE QD single-adjust side release buckles. The sewing-capable user can simply install webbing loops on the bottom of the pack, exactly like those on the bottom of the USGI ALICE pack, and in that way be able to install the GI MSS or the GI waist pack, or any other item that has straps that will interface with such an arrangement through the use of adjustable QD straps run through such loops and then around the item. Doing it this way is a lot simpler and a lot less expensive than covering the bottom of the pack with PALS webbing, and achieves the primary goal of attaching a fairly large, wide object, such as a sleeping pad or sleeping bag. As far as attaching anything to the top of the pack lit, while it can be done, I'm not a big fan of doing so if such can be avoided. The reason for this is that if the top of the pack rises high enough, it interferes with the user assuming a good prone position. Since the Recon pack lacks a snow collar, (as does the original ALICE) adding anything to the top flap of the pack which would serve to prevent the top flap from fully covering the top opening of the pack might let snow/water/debris into the top of the pack. IOW, adding a wide pouch to the top might lift the sides of the top flap letting things into the pack. YMMV Looks like a frame sheet for this pack would be approx. 13-3/4" wide, and 19" tall rectangle. Measure YOUR pack before ordering/cutting. It appears that the Spec-Ops frame sheet intended for THE PACK might fit;http://www.specopsbrand.com/tactical-gear/backpacks-rucksacks-tactical-bags/t-h-e-pack-frame-black.html Just going by the dimensions of MY Ruck, and guessing at dimensions of Spec-Ops Frame sheet (non-published) by using published specs for dimensions of THE pack. Should work all right, but haven't tried it. |
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Bump.... Pack is now $69.95:, how ever the fall13 code is expired. But if you create an account and sign up for the newsletter you earn 55 sob points bring the price to $64 plus the coupe code fb10 for an additional 10% off bringing the shipped price to $74.95 shipped priority mail.
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By way of an FYI, I just checked, and my Eagle A-III and ATS frame sheets both fit in the hydration pocket of my Recon Ruck Ultra.
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Received my Recon Ruck the other day. Well-constructed. Very little finishing work required. Little to add to the two reviews above except the following: 1) There are no drain grommets in the bottom of the main compartment of the pack. Two or three #2 grommets should be added, similar to the original ALICE. 2) The two top straps that secure the top flap and which are also vertical compression straps are too short, so only the smallest item can be strapped onto the top of the pack. They should be lengthened, similar to the original ALICE. 3) The two straps on the bottom of the pack are too short to allow anything to be secured to the bottom of the pack. They should be lengthened, and QD, adjustable side-release buckles added. An alternative approach would be to add two webbing loops, exactly as was done on the original ALICE packs, which would allow use of the USGI MOLLE Modular Sleeping System Carrier, the USGI MOLLE waist pack, or long webbing loops with adjustable QD buckles could also be used. 4) At least one, and possibly two horizontal compression straps should be added. 5) The pack, if worn without a frame, should have a frame sheet added. 6) No map pocket on the pack's lid, as has the ALICE pack. 7) No snow collar--although the ALICE also lacks this feature. Many of these features, with the possible exception of an optional frame sheet, map pocket, and the snow collar could have been incorporated into the original construction of the pack, adding very little extra cost in materials/labor, but adding very considerably to the utility and value of the pack itself. Fortunately, most any user can add most of these these features by themselves at little cost and /or effort. As things stand, the as-bought pack is still an excellent deal for the sale price. To reiterate, a few very low-cost features added to this pack would enhance its' value and utility greatly. View Quote Just received my pack today and Im very impressed with it. I had planned on using this version to start a hellcat build, if Im reading your outline correctly raf, is the MSSC and molle waist belt not an option for this pack? |
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Just received my pack today and Im very impressed with it. I had planned on using this version to start a hellcat build, if Im reading your outline correctly raf, is the MSSC and molle waist belt not an option for this pack? View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Received my Recon Ruck the other day. Well-constructed. Very little finishing work required. Little to add to the two reviews above except the following: 1) There are no drain grommets in the bottom of the main compartment of the pack. Two or three #2 grommets should be added, similar to the original ALICE. 2) The two top straps that secure the top flap and which are also vertical compression straps are too short, so only the smallest item can be strapped onto the top of the pack. They should be lengthened, similar to the original ALICE. 3) The two straps on the bottom of the pack are too short to allow anything to be secured to the bottom of the pack. They should be lengthened, and QD, adjustable side-release buckles added. An alternative approach would be to add two webbing loops, exactly as was done on the original ALICE packs, which would allow use of the USGI MOLLE Modular Sleeping System Carrier, the USGI MOLLE waist pack, or long webbing loops with adjustable QD buckles could also be used. 4) At least one, and possibly two horizontal compression straps should be added. 5) The pack, if worn without a frame, should have a frame sheet added. 6) No map pocket on the pack's lid, as has the ALICE pack. 7) No snow collar--although the ALICE also lacks this feature. Many of these features, with the possible exception of an optional frame sheet, map pocket, and the snow collar could have been incorporated into the original construction of the pack, adding very little extra cost in materials/labor, but adding very considerably to the utility and value of the pack itself. Fortunately, most any user can add most of these these features by themselves at little cost and /or effort. As things stand, the as-bought pack is still an excellent deal for the sale price. To reiterate, a few very low-cost features added to this pack would enhance its' value and utility greatly. Just received my pack today and Im very impressed with it. I had planned on using this version to start a hellcat build, if Im reading your outline correctly raf, is the MSSC and molle waist belt not an option for this pack? Using the straps on the MSS carrier as a guide to placement. orientation, and size, you will need to sew two strips of webbing, such as found on the bottom of any GI ALICE pack, onto the bottom of the Recon ruck in order to attach the MSS and/or the waist pack. Check the fit of both prior to sewing down the webbing. A NO-SEW alternative would be to attach four field-expedient QD side-release buckles to the existing straps that cover the bottom of the pack, and running straps between the pairs. The straps would hold the MSS carrier and/or waistpack. |
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Not trying to be a downer and thanks for the info but isn't this a really outdated ruck/system? I was just wondering what makes it worth $89. It's a serious question.
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Not trying to be a downer and thanks for the info but isn't this a really outdated ruck/system? I was just wondering what makes it worth $89. It's a serious question. View Quote If by outdated you mean it lacks a suspension system and is not designed to work with body armor, then yes, it's outdated. If those are some of your requirements then there are more appropriate choices on the market. The ability to add an ALICE or DEI frame helps when hauling a heavy load, but can't substitute for a true suspension system. I'm a civilian and I pay for my gear out of my own pocket. For a pack of this capacity, sewn in the USA with 1000D Cordura and modern buckles, $89 is a tremendous value compared to what's out there in the market. Now that it's marked down to $69.95, it's a screaming deal. |
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If by outdated you mean it lacks a suspension system and is not designed to work with body armor, then yes, it's outdated. If those are some of your requirements then there are more appropriate choices on the market. The ability to add an ALICE or DEI frame helps when hauling a heavy load, but can't substitute for a true suspension system. I'm a civilian and I pay for my gear out of my own pocket. For a pack of this capacity, sewn in the USA with 1000D Cordura and modern buckles, $89 is a tremendous value compared to what's out there in the market. Now that it's marked down to $69.95, it's a screaming deal. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Not trying to be a downer and thanks for the info but isn't this a really outdated ruck/system? I was just wondering what makes it worth $89. It's a serious question. If by outdated you mean it lacks a suspension system and is not designed to work with body armor, then yes, it's outdated. If those are some of your requirements then there are more appropriate choices on the market. The ability to add an ALICE or DEI frame helps when hauling a heavy load, but can't substitute for a true suspension system. I'm a civilian and I pay for my gear out of my own pocket. For a pack of this capacity, sewn in the USA with 1000D Cordura and modern buckles, $89 is a tremendous value compared to what's out there in the market. Now that it's marked down to $69.95, it's a screaming deal. The plastic DEI ABN frame, which mates to the Recon Ruck is designed to be armor compatible; it's the frame the marines selected to use with their new FILBE pack. The ABN frame is designed to work with the MOLLE or FILBE waist belt and shoulder straps. |
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I suggest dyeing the ACU waist belt and shoulder straps with Rit Apple Green dye. In the following pic, observe the ACU items dyed with Rit Apple Green dye: http://www.ar15.com/media/viewFile.html?i=53000 View Quote Closeups? |
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I suggest dyeing the ACU waist belt and shoulder straps with Rit Apple Green dye. In the following pic, observe the ACU items dyed with Rit Apple Green dye . . . View Quote Yes, absolutely. That will be my next project once it warms up in the spring/summer around here, so I've been following your dye threads. I already have the pot, and will use my turkey fryer rig to heat the brew. I will go green for my ACU stuff, and for my DCU straps and belt, I would like to go more brown, or get as close as I can to Eagle MJK to make them more compatible with multicam. |
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Because a Kifaru or Mystery ranch that does the same thing costs $700? Serious answer. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Not trying to be a downer and thanks for the info but isn't this a really outdated ruck/system? I was just wondering what makes it worth $89. It's a serious question. Because a Kifaru or Mystery ranch that does the same thing costs $700? Serious answer. Not even close to a Mystery Ranch. That's what my unit issues. The ruck in question looks like the old alice pack and that thing is awful compared to a Mystery Ranch. The amount of adjustments to configure to your size, body and body armor, the way it carries a load and the ease of getting to it. You can carry a lot more weight in a Mystery Ranch and it would feel the same in an alice pack, but with much less weight in it. There is absolutely no way that you can seriously compare the two. I used an alice for the first 12 years of my career in the military. I am on year 20 now. They are on two ends of the spectrum. Like I tried to convey earlier, I wasn't and am not trying to be a jerk, just asking because it looks like an alice pack and no, they really do not do the same thing. That's how much of a difference there is between the two. This really got off subject and I was just asking a question but yes, I know what the cost difference is and there's a reason. Anyway, carry on. |
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If by outdated you mean it lacks a suspension system and is not designed to work with body armor, then yes, it's outdated. If those are some of your requirements then there are more appropriate choices on the market. The ability to add an ALICE or DEI frame helps when hauling a heavy load, but can't substitute for a true suspension system. I'm a civilian and I pay for my gear out of my own pocket. For a pack of this capacity, sewn in the USA with 1000D Cordura and modern buckles, $89 is a tremendous value compared to what's out there in the market. Now that it's marked down to $69.95, it's a screaming deal. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Not trying to be a downer and thanks for the info but isn't this a really outdated ruck/system? I was just wondering what makes it worth $89. It's a serious question. If by outdated you mean it lacks a suspension system and is not designed to work with body armor, then yes, it's outdated. If those are some of your requirements then there are more appropriate choices on the market. The ability to add an ALICE or DEI frame helps when hauling a heavy load, but can't substitute for a true suspension system. I'm a civilian and I pay for my gear out of my own pocket. For a pack of this capacity, sewn in the USA with 1000D Cordura and modern buckles, $89 is a tremendous value compared to what's out there in the market. Now that it's marked down to $69.95, it's a screaming deal. I guess a better way to put it is to say why wouldn't you just buy a surplus alice pack? |
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The plastic DEI ABN frame, which mates to the Recon Ruck is designed to be armor compatible; it's the frame the marines selected to use with their new FILBE pack. The ABN frame is designed to work with the MOLLE or FILBE waist belt and shoulder straps. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Not trying to be a downer and thanks for the info but isn't this a really outdated ruck/system? I was just wondering what makes it worth $89. It's a serious question. If by outdated you mean it lacks a suspension system and is not designed to work with body armor, then yes, it's outdated. If those are some of your requirements then there are more appropriate choices on the market. The ability to add an ALICE or DEI frame helps when hauling a heavy load, but can't substitute for a true suspension system. I'm a civilian and I pay for my gear out of my own pocket. For a pack of this capacity, sewn in the USA with 1000D Cordura and modern buckles, $89 is a tremendous value compared to what's out there in the market. Now that it's marked down to $69.95, it's a screaming deal. The plastic DEI ABN frame, which mates to the Recon Ruck is designed to be armor compatible; it's the frame the marines selected to use with their new FILBE pack. The ABN frame is designed to work with the MOLLE or FILBE waist belt and shoulder straps. Thank you for that. That is a pretty cool feature. |
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Yes, absolutely. That will be my next project once it warms up in the spring/summer around here, so I've been following your dye threads. I already have the pot, and will use my turkey fryer rig to heat the brew. I will go green for my ACU stuff, and for my DCU straps and belt, I would like to go more brown, or get as close as I can to Eagle MJK to make them more compatible with multicam. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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I suggest dyeing the ACU waist belt and shoulder straps with Rit Apple Green dye. In the following pic, observe the ACU items dyed with Rit Apple Green dye . . . Yes, absolutely. That will be my next project once it warms up in the spring/summer around here, so I've been following your dye threads. I already have the pot, and will use my turkey fryer rig to heat the brew. I will go green for my ACU stuff, and for my DCU straps and belt, I would like to go more brown, or get as close as I can to Eagle MJK to make them more compatible with multicam. Where are these threads? This interests me and those ACU items died in the apple green dye look good. |
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. . . I guess a better way to put it is to say why wouldn't you just buy a surplus alice pack? View Quote Yes, that would be the cheapest route. And although I like the capacity and layout of the ALICE pack, there were a couple things I wanted to change: 1) I didn't like the metal snaps and buckles. As far as I could tell, my options were: a) head over to a large military base and cruise the main drag outside the gate looking for a shop that could replace the hardware with SR buckles; b) send my pack to Tactical Tailor and have them perform the mods; c) buy a MALICE pack from Tactical Tailor; d) order the replacement SR buckles online and find a local stitch bitch to sew them on; or e) buy the Recon Ruck Ultra from SOB. 2) These days, you can buy a surplus ALICE pack in any color and pattern you like, as long as it's OD green. In the end, after all that rigmarole, I ended up with both. |
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Where are these threads? This interests me and those ACU items died in the apple green dye look good. View Quote raf's apple green dye changing gear color FLC thread - guys dyed their rigs in this thread |
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Yes, that would be the cheapest route. And although I like the capacity and layout of the ALICE pack, there were a couple things I wanted to change: 1) I didn't like the metal snaps and buckles. As far as I could tell, my options were: a) head over to a large military base and cruise the main drag outside the gate looking for a shop that could replace the hardware with SR buckles; b) send my pack to Tactical Tailor and have them perform the mods; c) buy a MALICE pack from Tactical Tailor; d) order the replacement SR buckles online and find a local stitch bitch to sew them on; or e) buy the Recon Ruck Ultra from SOB. 2) These days, you can buy a surplus ALICE pack in any color and pattern you like, as long as it's OD green. In the end, after all that rigmarole, I ended up with both. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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. . . I guess a better way to put it is to say why wouldn't you just buy a surplus alice pack? Yes, that would be the cheapest route. And although I like the capacity and layout of the ALICE pack, there were a couple things I wanted to change: 1) I didn't like the metal snaps and buckles. As far as I could tell, my options were: a) head over to a large military base and cruise the main drag outside the gate looking for a shop that could replace the hardware with SR buckles; b) send my pack to Tactical Tailor and have them perform the mods; c) buy a MALICE pack from Tactical Tailor; d) order the replacement SR buckles online and find a local stitch bitch to sew them on; or e) buy the Recon Ruck Ultra from SOB. 2) These days, you can buy a surplus ALICE pack in any color and pattern you like, as long as it's OD green. In the end, after all that rigmarole, I ended up with both. I hear ya. The pack looks nice and I was just wondering. Back in the day when we were still issued alice packs I put on my own buckles. It's really easy to do. All you have to do is cut the thread on the end of the straps where its doubled over and loop the buckles on. Thank you for the links for the dye threads. |
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Yes, that would be the cheapest route. And although I like the capacity and layout of the ALICE pack, there were a couple things I wanted to change: 1) I didn't like the metal snaps and buckles. As far as I could tell, my options were: a) head over to a large military base and cruise the main drag outside the gate looking for a shop that could replace the hardware with SR buckles; b) send my pack to Tactical Tailor and have them perform the mods; c) buy a MALICE pack from Tactical Tailor; d) order the replacement SR buckles online and find a local stitch bitch to sew them on; or e) buy the Recon Ruck Ultra from SOB. 2) These days, you can buy a surplus ALICE pack in any color and pattern you like, as long as it's OD green. In the end, after all that rigmarole, I ended up with both. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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. . . I guess a better way to put it is to say why wouldn't you just buy a surplus alice pack? Yes, that would be the cheapest route. And although I like the capacity and layout of the ALICE pack, there were a couple things I wanted to change: 1) I didn't like the metal snaps and buckles. As far as I could tell, my options were: a) head over to a large military base and cruise the main drag outside the gate looking for a shop that could replace the hardware with SR buckles; b) send my pack to Tactical Tailor and have them perform the mods; c) buy a MALICE pack from Tactical Tailor; d) order the replacement SR buckles online and find a local stitch bitch to sew them on; or e) buy the Recon Ruck Ultra from SOB. 2) These days, you can buy a surplus ALICE pack in any color and pattern you like, as long as it's OD green. In the end, after all that rigmarole, I ended up with both. It's easy--and fairly cheap-- to replace the metal ALICE buckles with these: http://www.supplycaptain.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=11&ParentCat=30. Just use a couple pairs of pliers to bend the old metal buckle back and forth enough to break it, and then remove it. Slipping-in the new buckle is straightforward, and needle-nosed pliers will help. I'd leave the two lower metal buckles that secure the straps attaching the bottom of the pack to the frame as-is, though. QD buckles are too bulky, and no need for a QD buckle at that place anyways. As mentioned above, it may be necessary to remove the folded-over ends on the straps, and carefully cutting the stitching holding the fold-over together is much preferred to cutting the fold-over off. Just peel the fold-over apart, and use a single-edged razor blade to cut the exposed stitching. Cut the very end at a 45 deg angle and sear it with a Bic, unless you are going to re-sew it. Use a flat-iron to heat the webbing to straighten it out, using as little heat as will do the job. OTOH, sometimes a little hammering on the fold-overs will flatten them just enough to allow them to be threaded through the adjustable portion of the new buckles. Needle-nosed pliers will help a lot. Shop around for different colors on the QD buckles. IIRC, Foliage, Tan, CB, and Black are all offered, but black is not suggested on account of its IR properties. |
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