Pix and basic text of ad for
MOLLE 4000 Pack. Nominal volume of pack without auxiliary pouches is 4000 CI. This pack was a "Test Item" for ABN troops who wanted a pack a bit smaller than the issued Large Molle Pack, but bigger than the seldom-seen Medium Molle Pack, which is, in turn, much larger than the Molle Assault pack. Appears to be 500d Cordura throughout. For comparison, the ALICE packs were 200D Nylon. Much thinner, but much lighter.
The MOLLE 4000 was also intended to be much easier to rig, and unrig, for ABN usage than the other packs currently in inventory. There are a LOT of straps all over this pack, obviously intended for ABN usage, but which straps are easily stowed into various pockets on the pack itself. The lower compartment of the pack contains the guts of the system, and such is immediately accessible to the ABN trooper, unlike other non-ABN packs.
The whole point to making this pack was to provide something user-friendly to ABN troops. I can't comment on how well it was received, other than to say some effort was made to build-in a lot of strappage and support which is NOT found on either the large or medium Molle Packs, not to mention the ALICE packs. From comments read on-line, I believe this pack is the second iteration of the ABN pack, as it has some features/improvements apparently not present in the first version of this type of pack.
This pack was received in very good condition. Only probs were some small wear points on the material on the top of the pack, going over the frame; No doubt caused by its' being carried upside-down during ABN ops. Easily remedied by a bic lighter to sear the raw ends of the fabric. Should pose no future problems. The other problem was a separated snap, which was fixed by installing a new snap. Other than that, the pack was dirty, but otherwise had seen little use/damage.
When hefting the pack, I was surprised at how heavy it was. Turns out that some straps along with their
very stout/heavy snap-hooks were in the bottom of the pack, Those removed, the weight of the pack was appreciably less, but still heavy, even for a Mil pack, which are never lightweight. The weight-conscious user could probably remove (as in un-thread) many ounces of ABN strapping without affecting the pack's ground use.
The pack itself is a big ALICE-type sack, top entry only; no bottom/side access to internal pack body contents. No internal organization unless a MOLLE radio pouch is installed--there are top loops installed inside the pack which will allow this. The MOLLE radio pouch is also useful for installing a
Lumbar Bladder, which is an inverted "T"-shaped bladder available from CamelBak. There is a very stout zipper at the 90 deg juncture of the top flap and body of the pack which will allow either-side drinking hose pass-through; presumably originally intended for radio antennae.
Bottom pouch is intended for ABN component stowage, but will fit some other items. Top flap has Velcro-closed map pouch, like the ALICE packs, and some PALS webbing on top. Bottom of the pack has zero PALS webbing. Side PALS webbing will accommodate a MOLLE Sustainment pouch plus another smallish pouch at the bottom. Will also accommodate a full-length 300 oz bladder carrier. I'd suggest the internal radio pouch with a Lumbar Bladder, thus saving the side panels for other uses, but YMMV. Dorsal PALS webbing is ample, and will easily accommodate any number of pouches needed for access to small items, such as the Condor (I know, but it's OK in this application)
TNT Pouch. This well-done pouch is needed on any pack that does not provide easy, quick, access to frequently-needed, small items. Try it; You'll like it. I have several. For applications that are constrained for room/space, the Condor
Sidekick Pouch is worth consideration.
Large dorsal zipper-closed pouch has zero internal organization. No provision of strapping/QD buckles in the unlikely event the zipper for the dorsal pouch fails. This can be remedied by the astute user. Two well-positioned compression straps on each side of pack.
6" Snow/dust collar around top of pack body, secured with adjustable barrel lock on dorsal side of pack. I'd prefer the collar be 8" or even longer, in case the pack is over-stuffed.
Frame is a DE1606 MC frame, same as on the USMC Filbe Pack. Waist belt is the standard (and quite serviceable) MOLLE II type. Shoulder straps are sewn-in, and are configured for body armor use. Or not. They are perfectly useable either way. Very similar to the MOLLE II late-version armor-friendly shoulder straps with QD release and adjustable sternum strap. No provision for load-leveler straps at top of frame, such as the MOLLE II pack enjoys.
The usual hyper-long GI-style vertical straps, intended not only as vertical compression straps but to also allow attachment of aux items to top and bottom of pack, such as sleeping gear and shelter, are present, and the loose ends are secured by Velcro OneWrap. Nicely done.
Summary: A stout, heavy, and serviceable pack (subject to future revisions) for ABN troops. First
dedicated ABN pack since WW II. I bought it on spec as a possible collectible, as it is indelibly marked : "TEST ITEM" on the underside of the top flap. As such, and never intending to actually use it, I'll leave the ABN straps intact. I have other packs, and I don't plan on jumping out of airplanes any time soon. I bought mine during a 25% off sale at USRO. Those willing to remove the harness by unthreading it from the pack itself will certainly eliminate considerable weight, with no adverse effects on the pack's ground-bound capabilities. Take pix as you go, in case you ever re-install the straps. With that as a given, the pack is, like all Mil packs, very sturdy, and quite heavy for its' size/capacity.
Since I bought this pack, the original number of 28 has gone to zero in a remarkably short time. I expect this pack to re-appear on Ebay or Amazon for a [I]different[I] price.