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Posted: 12/8/2010 6:17:29 PM EDT
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Has anyone out there purchased any of their gear? I have been browsing through their catalog and it looks like they offer well built gear that can stand up to some abuse, with very many options. Just wondering what you guys think of them
BDS Tactical website |
| If you want the original and higher quality stuff go with OSOE. John Willis owned the company and now his ex wife runs BDS while he has OSOE. I'm not going to explain all of that and it is out there if you want to research it. I've heard the quality is lower. I ordered a flashlight pouch from them several years ago and the customer service was horrible. They kept telling me it had shipped and I waited a long time for an item that was in stock. I had multiple phone conversations with someone out there and I wasn't impressed. The pouch is alright but I haven't used it a lot or abused it. |
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Their new factory is walking distance from where I used to live in Vista/Oceanside. Yes, BDS is essentially SOE's red headed step child and they beat John to color matching the edge tape to the nylon, buckles, etc. I don't think their stuff is junk but I don't think its the end all/be all either. |
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Whatever they make that you are looking at buying, there are other companies out there that make better quality stuff for similiar (or even lower) prices...
I'd go surf the web for gear from companies like ATS Tactical, Eagle Industries, HSGI, Esstac, Diamondback Tactical, Blue Force Gear, Tactical Tailor, and OSOE before I bought anything from BDS... |
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John Willis has proven to me that he is a stand up guy that builds gear with a lifetime warranty you'll never need. As such, I will never own a piece of BDS gear. I have a lot of high end gear and have made a lot of friends in the industry. There is more than one way to skin a cat, enough quality manufacturers, and enough good people in this industry, that you always have choices. You never have to settle.
[email protected] |
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I will also add that every company has their own "style" or way of doing things and I have some gripes about BDS. I don't like their M-16 mag pouches, just way too tight on P-Mags. So tight that you can see the curve of the mag. They use a very thin make of 1" webbing for PALS/MOLLE which is sufficient but seemingly flimsy. They have their own MOLLE attaching system which would benefit by just using MALICE clips but uses the above mentioned flimsy webbing and a snap. Somewhat a PITA to fasten. I'm sure their stuff would endure hard use but it could be improved IMHO. |
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