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Posted: 5/23/2006 2:13:32 PM EDT
My surplus store hunting has netted me an excellent find. An MSA Gallet TC2000 MICH/ACH helmet. The helmet is in excellent condition; the helmet cover had some smoke damage, it was missing one No. 6 pad and the helmet strap had fire damage on one side. According to the serial number, the helmet was made in 2004 and the helmet itself didn't have a single dent or scratch. You guys know how hard to find these helmets are and when you do find one, they go for $300-$500. I will not say how much I paid for it; however, it was a 2-digit figure COUGH!~$63~COUGH! (HE-HE! Yeah, hate me!) How lucky can you get? Now, I was just killing time on my day off, paying some bills and just chilling. On my way to the gun store I usually go to, I decided to stop at the local surplus store and browsed around for a while, just checking what they guy had; he had some new MOLLE II FLC vests, some new Gore-Tex ECWCS jackets and pants in 3C Desert and woodland, a couple of well-worn MOLLE shingle mag pouches and a pair of semi-new (slight mud on the soles) pair of Belleville 790 desert boots. After trying the boots on (size 10.5R; I wear 11.5R); I ended up buying a pair of regimental crests and some cleaning patches and as I was waiting for the guy, I saw the helmet in the corner of the floor, behind the register, staring back at me. The ceiling parted and a beam of light came from the heavens and lighted the helmet, almost like if it was the Holy Grail.  AAAAAAAAAAA!!!(Yeah, I know; this story is getting cheesier than a bowl of Mac & Cheese, but is a trues story.) I've been looking for one of these helmets for the longest of time, so I asked the guy how much he wanted for the helmet. My unit is switching from PASGT to MICH helmets anyways, but since my active duty days, I've always have my own personal TA-50. But to my dismay, he told me, quote; "I'm holding it for another customer"  HAHAHAHAHA! YOU ARE NOT GETTING ITBut me being me (stubborn like a Kentucky Mule) told the guy how long has it been on hold and he told me "If the guy doesn't come in for it today, is going back to the shelf.". Okay, so I jotted my phone number on a piece of paper and told him that if the guy doesn't come, to call me and I'd take it off his hands. Well, that was at 11am, I went back at 3pm and the helmet was still there; needless to say, I dropped the cash and the helmet was mine; I even gave the guy a tutorial on some odds and ends he had in a box that he did not know what they were; including a mortar sighting unit, and two NVG helmet mounts (both were for PASGT Helmets). Anyway, I decided to make my presence short, just in case the guy came in and made a hasty retreat back home.  C'YA! DAMN! FOILED AGAINGO! GO! GO!I jumped the shark, I beat the Devil and I dodged the bullet better than even Neo could ever do. Now I have to get a replacement pad, a new chin strap assembly and clean up the "Desert" side of the cover (the "Woodland" part is intact), maybe even get an ACU cover and dig out one of my extra helmet bands and if I feel like it, install an NVG Mount. Now that's what I call a lucky find.  For those of you that are yelling "YOU LUCKY FAWK"? Yeah, I know.  |
| HOw much did you end up paying for the helmet? And very nice find. I am not in the states, but when ever I go there I make sure to stop by at the surplus stores to look for bargains. Here we have alright stores but its hard to find genunine U.S surplus. Anyways again it was a steal! |
About $63 bucks for it. Obviously, the guy did not know what he had; I think he saw it as "Just another Kevlar helmet". Hell, PASGT helmets go for $90 in another store and these are really old ones at best or have parts missing off them and the new ones are too small to fit my head. Again, I paid the cash and vacated the premises before he had a second thought about selling it.
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Very nice buy for $63.00, Yes I have been to a number of stores when they do not know what they are talking about nor do they know the prices. Where I live there was a surplus store selling the brand new canadian issue tactical vest in cadpat for $100.00, I could have sold it on ebay for $500.00-$700.00 to some airsofters lol ** may I ask what surplus store it was, I was at one last month lol in FL* |
Did you buy it? Now that's what I want. an IBA; finding one in Large is hard; there's one in Medium in CB at one of the stores I frequent for $349.99; it has the neck guard, but no yoke or pelvic panel. Oh well, If I found the MICH, I'm bound to find the IBS as well, no hurries.
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Good answer, I would have taken the deal too. |
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Best deal I ever got in a surplus store was NEW Orc Industries level 5 pants and bottom for $80 out the door. They go for about $200/set. In the same store, I also lucked out on a new Orc Industries hardshell top....$20! They didnt know that this stuff was cutting edge outerwear. The clerk thought the softshell suit was a PT uniform... |
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Great find on the MICH helmet and congrats! I have a couple of great finds....was at a junk store, found a World War 2 USN marked camo poncho, an original WW2 wool jeep cap, plus three pair of WW2 khaki socks (all fit my large ass). I walked up to to owner checking out and I set this stuff down. I expected the worst like 'that will be $100' (I had the cash anyway) but I about passed out when he said 'hmmm that was my dad's stuff and he is gone now, so how about $10?' Well I said OK...paid my $10 and di-di mau right outta there! I did give him my condolences on hearing of his fathers death.... Tell them what is is worth? They need to do the research! One look at Ebay and they would know going prices...glad a lot still don't! HA!  Besides the shop dealer probably didn't give the seller of the MICH that much to begin with to make a healthy profit at $63! |
Oh, I made another run to the Surplus Store I bought my MICH Helmet and found yet another pair of surplus goodies. WHat it that, you might ask? Those are Rhino NVG Helmet mounts, well, the swing arms anyways, along with an AN/PVS-14 attachment arm and a PASGT Helmet Mount. The helmet mount is missing the attachment point for the swing arm, but everything else is there. And you will not believe how much I paid for it... Care to guess? Anyone? Nobody? Okay, I paid $20 for the whole lot, the two swing arms, the PVS-14 attachment and the PASGT Helmet Mount. I went home, cleaned the swing arms with some Silicone Oil and now I have one for my MICH, all I need is the MICH Helmet Moutn and I am set. The helmet now should look something like this...  This helmet is for sale on eGay. - LINK |
PASGT Helmets are easier to find in surplus shops than the MICHs; usually you can get one for $60-$80 depending; your best bet is to get a PASGT, replace the suspension system on it with an Oregon Aero BLSS Kit. and finally, get an NVG Mount from eBay. Here's one. That's how the Marines wear their own helmets. Anyhow, I got the NVG Helmet mount bracket for my MICH Helmet (won one off eBay) and that baby will come within a couple of weeks and I'll post pics of the completed helmet. |
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I don't know whats a better score. A mich for $63, or buying all the parts off of ebay to make one of those uber specops helmets (Marine Tanker helmet, NVG mount, Oregon Aero suspension system, goggle straps, mil issue IR beacon, etc) for $250, painting and assembling the damn thing, putting some sticky back velcro in appropriate places, then turning around and selling it on Ebay to some airsofter for $650? Good catch on the Mich though! Chris |
I think the thrill of doing the work by yourself and then admiring the result proves to be enough thrill for some. I mean, with a little bit of research, some slick "eBaying" and some elbow grease will definitely get you a cool item for just peanuts. Though making an "UbertacticalMallNinjaSecretSquirrel" helmet out of surplus parts and then selling it for a stupid amount of price seems a bit of a whackjob, but to each his own.  I just got the helmet because since my unit is switching to them soon, I wanted to be the first one to say proudly "I have a personal one" and having it rigged to my personal specs rather than having to wear something that's made for everyone else. Simply not me. Kinda like building your own firearm; why carry something made for everyone else, when you can spend a little more for something that is custom suited to you? |
Well, the mount came in today. (YEE-HAW!)  It came with the mounting screw and it went in in 30 seconds without any mods other than a hole through the cover.  One Screw; that's it.   Add the Swing Arm and I am done. Now I have to wait for the goggle retention straps and the ACU cover with the Glint Tape and I'm set. |
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Good question; you can try www.specialtydefense.com to get the MICHs, but they are pricey (as in $618 kinda pricey). I think eGay is the only way to go. Here's the only auction for one I found on www.gunbroker.com: MICH HELMET AUCTION ON GUNBROKER ANd is at a good price, good luck.  |
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I just added the Goggle retention straps to my MICH a few weeks ago and I am set; the helmet is now residing on my foot locker ready for either deployment or a SHTF moment. Can't wait to see what else my favorite surplus store has; last time I checked, he had a pair of used Blackhawk 3 day patrol packs in Coyote Brown for 60-something bucks. If anyone wants them, drop me a line and see if I can get them for you.
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| Nice, there are deals if you look for them. I was able to get a mitch helmet with the whole night vision set up for $200 at a gun show a few months back, no camo cover but just added one in muticam for $20. Used one in Iraq and it is the best set up for NVG's. My issue helmet stays at the armory and my personal one I use with a PVS-14 around the ranch at night. |
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Well, my surplus store guy picked up a box of the Oregon Aero No. 6 pads; here's a chance for you guys with the PASGT helmets to upgrade the shitty suspension with a a set of these pads, just let me know and I'll get a set picked for you(pick of the littler since I am such a good customer). Be aware that these pads are used, so I will do my best to pick the best of them; a new set of No. 6 pads ranges at around $100, so this is a chance to pick a few cheap. |
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