Showing posts with label M81. Show all posts
Showing posts with label M81. Show all posts

LOADOUT | DNC X M81!

Hey friends! 

Welcome back to the blog! Today I have another set-up post for you, in this blog, we'll be looking at one of the newest loadouts in my collection: DNC X M81 which I think is going to be great for CQB in the winter! 

For the helmet, as always, I'm running my Team Wendy EXFIL LTP in Black. The EXFIL LTP is a lightweight polymer bump helmet that gives great impact protection and a stable, comfortable platform for mounting night-vision devices (and other accessories). It features a built-in NVG shroud, a Zorbium foam liner along with a CAM FIT Retention System that has easily adjustable Cam Lock sliders, and a micro-adjustable BOA Fit System. The Team Wendy EXFIL LTP is by far the most expensive helmet I've used during my time airsofting, but it is also the most comfortable to wear for extended periods and the protection it offers is second to none. 

I've accessorised it with the TW EXFIL Carbon & LTP 2.0 Rails and the TW EXFIL Peltor Headset Adapters which hold my Howard Leight Honeywell Impact Sport headset which I use for comms and hearing protection. As I haven't yet scored an affordable set of Peltors, I had to do a little bit of jimmying to get these off their band and to fit on the Peltor mounts, they are by no means perfect (they pop off from time to time) but they work whilst I'm still on the lookout for a set of Peltors. 


As I run mostly green kit I have the EXFIL LTP Rail 2.0 Ranger Green Cover to match it to my BDU and to give it some texture - I'm not a fan of smooth, shiny helmets (that innuendo). To help offset the weight of my Night-Vision, I have the EXFIL Counterweight Kit in Black, of which I'm currently using 3 of the weights included in the kit. 

To accessorise the cover, I have a Mantra Strobe which has a red light function and an IR light function - this is super helpful during night ops - using the red light to signify being a dead player and using the IR to help teammates with NV know where I am. We love a patch or two so I've added the Afraid Of The Dark Gucci patch and an Afraid Of The Dark 'Gang Shit' patch. 

To attach my NV to the helmet, I have a clone Wilcox G24 Mount and an FW-Solutions 3D Printed Articulating J-Arm. I also have a piece of bungee cord that is attached to my NV housing for safety, this is threaded through the vents in my helmet and attached to one of the rails to ensure that if the mount and arm break or fail for any reason, the unit won't come crashing to the ground. 

As for the NV itself, I have an NVM14 Housing (which is a little smaller and lighter than the well-known PVS14) that has a Photonis BASIC WP tube installed. I chose WP over the traditional green as it is a little easier on my eyes when I wear it for extended periods. 

To protect it during airsoft games I have a Butler Creek Scope Cap with a piece of perspex behind it. 

To keep my eyes and teeth safe, I’m running the Wiley X Saber ADV Shooting Glasses (these aren’t pictured) and wearing the Bravo Mask from Lone Star Tactical. The Bravo Mask is a snood with a piece of square mesh inside. 


For my plate carrier, I’m wearing something new that I recently acquired on one of my trips to the States: the Phantom Gear "Wraith" T3 in Desert Night Camo from Evike.com. This affordable plate carrier is made from 500D Cordura Nylon fabric making it durable, water-resistant and lightweight. It has an elastic cummerbund with built-in pouches for magazines, radios or other accessories and a removable front flap can be replaced with a placard or buckle chest rig. It has interior air mesh padding so it’s really comfortable to wear for extended periods. At the moment, I still have the foam plates that are included with it in, as they are comfy to wear but you do have the option of adding weighted plates. It has a front upper pocket too. 

I have accessorised my Wraith T3 with the fully modular Emerson Gear Micro MK3 Chest Rig. This rig comes with Skeleton Harness and fully adjustable straps which are designed to distribute the weight evenly on your upper back so it is a really comfy rig to wear as a standalone chest rig but I LOVE the way it looks as an add-on to the plate carrier. 


The rig comes with two side pouches for radios etc, however, I don’t really use them as I have a dedicated pouch on my belt so they aren’t featured on this loadout. The main compartment of the rig has two sections and both come with stiff/elasticated inserts for three magazines; for a total of 6 regular size magazines, or 3 large ones if you remove one of the sections. The lower Utility Pouch has two large magazine inserts which would be suitable for .308 / 7.62 mags and also features a front zipped compartment for loose items.

Next up is my belt set-up for this loadout. The base of my belt set-up is the Rigger's Belt from Deadly Customs! It is made from MILSPEC webbing and features a dual-layer construction for strength and durability. At the front of the belt, there is a genuine 45mm AustriaAlpin Cobra Buckle that has a built-in D-Ring which you can use to attach a load of items. The inside of the belt is lined with an extra-strong hook Velcro to attach it to the inner belt. The inner goes through your trouser loops just like a normal belt and has an extra ridged construction so that when the two are paired together it creates a solid platform that airsofters and kit enthusiasts can rely on. The inner belt has been designed intentionally with loop Velcro so it can be worn alone and won’t damage clothes or car seats. On the buckle, the DC logo has been laser etched which is a great touch. 


Now as we've discussed the base of the build, let's chat about what I've fleshed out the build with: I have 2 Deadly Customs Glock Shooters Style Magazine Holsters, a Deadly Customs M4 5.56 Shooters Style Magazine Holster, a Baofeng UV5R Radio Kydex Holster, a Deadly Customs 40mm Grenade / Moscart Holster Green and the Signature Glock Kydex DC1 Series Holster wrapped in M81 Cordura fabric! You can check out my in-depth blog post for my M81 rigger’s belt here.

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LOADOUT | M81 (US WOODLAND) X FLANNEL!

Hey everyone!

Welcome back to the blog! And welcome to the last of my loadout posts for a little while, today we'll be looking at my M81 X Flannel loadout that I wore for the Depot in Glasgow for their charity event that was held in 2019.


Let's chat about what I'm wearing on the old noggin'. So to give my head a little protection, I'm wearing the 5.11 2017 Range Cap, to protect my ears I'm wearing the Howard Leight Impact Sport Electronic Earmuff. I use these for both airsoft and also firearms on the range because of their noise-cancelling feature. When you flick the switch and turn on the electronic ear protection, it uses the built-in directional microphones to amplify ambient (background) sounds to 82dB - well within safe hearing limits. This allows you to hear important commands on the range and crucial environment sounds when hunting or playing airsoft. For additional shooting hearing protection, it also actively listens and automatically stops amplification when loud impulsive sounds like firearm discharges exceed 82dB.

The Air Flow Control technology means they utilise a slim earcup design that ensures your stock has clearance while shooting (no bumping your earpro on the stock like with some cheaper options). It has a padded headband which is comfortable and it does adjust. It also has an external audio jack that lets you connect the shooting earmuff to music device or scanner or another audio source which is perfect for airsoft. The battery delivers approximately 350 hours of usage, and the automatic shut-off feature engages after 4 hours to help save battery life.

My Facemask is the licensed T'Farge Comfort Mask from OneTigris. It is a half-face mask that has padded sides and a TPU polymer bridge to protect the nose. The TPU material that covers the bridge of the nose has been tested to 800FPS impact resistance (tested between -10 degrees C and 42 degrees C), it also allows for breathability thanks to the cutouts and it has a rubber seal on the inside of the mask to keep players goggles clear. The fabric used is nylon (for the black and green versions) and 500D Cordura (for the MultiCam version) and this is for durability as it offers great dirt, water and abrasion resistance. On the inside of the fabric is the padded mesh breathability lining for player comfort. It has adjustable double head straps for comfort and to prevent the mask from slipping. It’s also a super light-weight piece of kit, weighing in at only 100g and it folds up small so it doesn’t take up a lot of space.

The padded sides are super comfortable, but one thing I have noticed with the ladies cut is as it cuts away from the jawline quite sharply it doesn’t completely protect the very bottom of your cheeks - but this isn’t an area that for me gets hit a lot so it’s not too much of an issue as the covers a lot of the face. The mask is built for player comfort. and the only aspect I found uncomfortable about the mask was the fact the double strap has two buckles that can rub on your ears when wearing ear protection, this wouldn’t be an issue if you don’t wear ear protection but I always wear it so it can be a little uncomfortable during prolonged wear.


For my tac vest I'm wearing the ‘Small Modular Plate Carrier’ from LBX, or the 0300S as it is more commonly known in the airsoft community. The 0300S is the compact model of LBX’s popular Modular Plate Carrier. As the name suggests the carrier has 360 modular webbing, on the front panel, back panel, and the cummerbund so players can customise their carrier on all sides to their needs/preferences. The top rows of webbing on the front panel also have hook Velcro so you can show off your favourite patches. 

Although it doesn’t come with plates as stock, the carrier can take 8x10 plates if players want to add a little bit of weight or help keep the shape when it isn’t in use. It features a heavy-duty drag handle which is probably more applicable in real-world application than airsoft but it's there if you need to quickly drag your mates out of a firefight. It also has hydration/comms guides on the front and rear panels to keep hydration system and communication systems organised and of course to prevent any loose cables being snagged during use – after all, no one likes catching their lines on door handles!

The 0300S is fully adjustable - the cummerbund is adjustable between 32" and 46", and as my waist is 29” it fits snuggly but still gives me enough room to wear the carrier over a softshell or hoodie as I would in the winter. As the cummerbund also has Velcro closure it can be securely fastened. The carrier also features adjustable shoulder straps which means the operator can adjust where it sits on the torso. Both shoulder straps have padded strap coverings which makes them comfortable to wear for long periods of time even when the carrier is loaded up. So we know it’s adjustable, but how does it fit? This is the main selling point for me! I’ve found very few plate carriers that can comfortably fit my small frame and contour my waist and chest but the 0300S does the job. As I’ve said, the cummerbund fits my waist pretty snug but still leaves me enough room to be worn over a light jacket or hoodie. The overall size looks/feels right on my torso and without plates, it fits the contours of my body.

I've accessorised my 0300S with the Triple HSGI Taco Modular Panel in Ranger Green from the LBX – the RG compliments the MAS Grey really well, it has 3 x M4 mag pouches and 3 x pistol mag pouches. I've also used the HSP SACK pouch to expand the carrying capacity.


The flannel shirt I'm wearing is from the budget high street retailer Primark. There are a lot of outdoor/tactical clothing companies that make flannel shirts but they tend to be quite expensive. This men's green/black shirt was just £10! Bargain! This shirt also came in an XS size which was pretty spot on!

For the trousers, I'm wearing the Viper Tactical Gen 2 Elite Trousers in US Woodland, which make huge improvements on the originals and boast a bunch of new features, including improved removable ABS knee pads! These new Elite trousers are a dupe of a very popular style of trousers/pants but are super affordable.

Besides the style, the first thing that strikes me about these new combat pants is that they are packed with pockets for storage! Featuring: two roomy cargo pockets with inner felt lined utility compartments, two hand-warmer pockets, two rear pockets, and two front thigh pockets. The pockets are placed in convenient locations and easy to reach in-game. The most useful for my own style of gaming is definitely the cargo pockets - they’re really roomy and secure well so I don’t lose any of my bits and bobs on the field.

One feature that was absent from the previous version, and definitely adds to the aesthetics is the V-Stretch material panels that are located around the knees and seat for better movement. The material is an accent colour which gives the trousers a high-end look but they aren’t there to just look good, they make the trousers so much more usable. As the originals didn’t have any stretch fabric, they relied on the little stretch the trouser fabric had, which meant they didn’t have a huge amount of movement. This stretch fabric makes these so comfortable to wear even when I’m crouching and getting into some really uncomfortable positions to get the shot.


The Gen 2 Elite Trousers feature removable ABS knee pads but the design is a major improvement on the originals. Instead of being hard plastic, they are now a flexible almost rubber feel plastic that moulds to your knees much better. They also look better. Like the originals though, they still have knee pad height adjusters in front thigh pockets which means I don’t get ‘thighcaps’!


In regards to the fit of them, as I wear a UK 8/10 (depending on the brand) I opted for a 30” waist. My waist sits at dead on 29” so opting for the 30” gives me. an extra inch for movement. They feature a padded waistline panel for added comfort, so when you’re leaning and there is pressure on the waistline it doesn’t dig in like some other brands and they have velcro retention for knee and cuffs.



As with my MultiCam set-up, the base of my OD set-up is the FRV Tailoring Cobra Shooters belt in OD. A low profile, lightweight and affordable alternative to belts such as the Ronin. It has an inner belt made of one layer of webbing with Velcro hook on the outside which you feed through your trouser belt loops as you would any normal belt, then you place your outer belt with all your pouches, holsters etc attached over the inner belt and fasten it with the cobra buckle. The belt is 50mm/2" wide and has 18 columns of molle. The molle loops run along the top and bottom of the outer belt and they're compatible with any molle pouches and holsters. The outer belt has a double layer of webbing to give it that rigidity and a cobra buckle that is rated up to 4000 lbs. What I love about this belt is it sits quite high up on my hips so it doesn’t bruise me or get uncomfortable even when there’s a fair bit of weight being carried, and I can have all my pouches/holsters etc set up on the belt without needing to take them off when the belt is removed. You can save 10% on the FRV Tailoring website by using the code 'Femmefatale' at the checkout!

For my pistol holster I'm using a standard Glock holster (I hadn't had a custom one made for the Agency Arms Glock at this point) and for my pistol mags I'm using two of the GK Tactical SG 2.0 Pistol Pouches from Redwolf. These affordable polymer pouches fit all pistol series magazines. There are flared surfaces on all sides of the pouch opening which allows smooth, blind insertion of the mag into the pouch. The front torsion plate is engineered to direct pressure down through the pouch forcing its inner friction surface to make positive contact along the length of the magazine. With minimal adjustment to the cord, the holding power of the pouch can be multiplied through the designed leverage in the system.

Next up in my OD set-up we have a new bit of kit – the Viper Covert Dump Pouch in OD! A small addition but one that makes a big difference during a skirmish in terms of stashing used mags in a flash. This tiny pouch folds out into a full-size dump pouch – so it has a good carrying capacity whilst being compact in its folded form and looks tidy. It’s really easy to deploy even whilst wearing my belt and what I really like about it is that it folds away easily too! It has a drawstring to keep everything in the pouch secure and a drainage hole at the bottom of the fold-out pouch to prevent rainwater pooling on wet game days.

I have 2 of the Kydex Holster NLD 40mm Carrier – in my custom pink/grey colourway. It is a Kydex carrying system designed specifically for the TRMR that has a malice clip attachment for use with molle plate carriers and belts. There’s not really much to talk about in terms of features as they are a super simple bit of kit – just moulded thermoplastic with a malice clip but their simplicity means less to go wrong. Once it is attached to your kit, the operation does take a little getting used to but once you get the hang of it, it does offer quick deployment and of course good retention. As it has a moulded lip to secure the TRMR I found the best way to deploy it quickly is to push the TRMR base up through the cut out and it will slide out. On the way back in, the best method I found was to have the TRMR at a 45-degree angle against the back of the TRMR and push down.
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LOADOUT | VIPER HOOD

Hey everyone!

Welcome back to the blog. Today I'm continuing with my loadout posts and in this blog post we'll be looking at the Viper Hood loadout I wore for West Midlands Airsoft The FOB!


Let's first talk about what I am using as concealment: a Viper Hood (this one is from Wish.com - don't @ me). A Viper Hood is a method of concealment that is ideal for snipers as it hides the shape of the human body and allows the user to blend in with the surroundings. They're generally one size fits all but have adjustable pull cords throughout the cuffs. This Viper Hood covers the head, shoulders and majority of the back. It is made of what feels to be mesh and has attachment points for ghillie yarn. It's important to be aware that Viper Hoods do not already come with the ghillie yarn attached - that is something you do yourself, but this means it is easily customisable. 

The glasses I'm wearing for this loadout (and the ones I wear for most of my loadouts) are the Wiley X Saber Advanced. They're made from Shatterproof Selenite Polycarbonate lenses that meet the MIL-PRF-32432(GL) ballistic standards: ANSI Z87.1-2010 high velocity and high mass impact standards. I opted for the set with amber, vermillion and tinted lenses but I usually wear the vermillion lenses. They feature a T-Shell Lens coating that prevents scratches. They also offer 100% UVA/UVB protection with distortion-free clarity. I've been using these for around 3 years and they've never let me down. On the Wiley X EMEA website, you can get money off by using the code 'AFAIRSOFT' (affiliate code).


On my torso, I'm wearing the Propper BDU coat – it is a classic, military BDU inspired uniform shirt that's packed with features. From the 4 large buttoned cargo pockets, reinforced elbow patches, the flap covered button up front to its tough shrink and wrinkle resistant polycotton ripstop fabric mean it is a classic style BDU that is made to last. The pockets are large and spacious so can hold a lot of items without too much of an issue, I feel like they would be especially good for keeping copies of maps and small notepads during MilSims for easy access (obviously don’t leave your intel in them because that’s the first place the enemy team will look!)


For the trousers, I'm wearing the Viper Tactical Gen 2 Elite Trousers in US Woodland, which make huge improvements on the originals and boast a bunch of new features, including improved removable ABS knee pads! These new Elite trousers are a dupe of a very popular style of trousers/pants but are super affordable.

Besides the style, the first thing that strikes me about these new combat pants is that they are packed with pockets for storage! Featuring: two roomy cargo pockets with inner felt lined utility compartments, two hand-warmer pockets, two rear pockets, and two front thigh pockets. The pockets are placed in convenient locations and easy to reach in-game. The most useful for my own style of gaming is definitely the cargo pockets - they’re really roomy and secure well so I don’t lose any of my bits and bobs on the field.

One feature that was absent from the previous version, and definitely adds to the aesthetics is the V-Stretch material panels that are located around the knees and seat for better movement. The material is an accent colour which gives the trousers a high-end look but they aren’t there to just look good, they make the trousers so much more usable. As the originals didn’t have any stretch fabric, they relied on the little stretch the trouser fabric had, which meant they didn’t have a huge amount of movement. This stretch fabric makes these so comfortable to wear even when I’m crouching and getting into some really uncomfortable positions to get the shot.

The Gen 2 Elite Trousers feature removable ABS knee pads but the design is a major improvement on the originals. Instead of being hard plastic, they are now a flexible almost rubber feel plastic that moulds to your knees much better. They also look better. Like the originals though, they still have knee pad height adjusters in front thigh pockets which means I don’t get ‘thighcaps’!

In regards to the fit of them, as I wear a UK 8/10 (depending on the brand) I opted for a 30” waist. My waist sits at dead on 29” so opting for the 30” gives me. an extra inch for movement. They feature a padded waistline panel for added comfort, so when you’re leaning and there is pressure on the waistline it doesn’t dig in like some other brands and they have velcro retention for knee and cuffs.


For my tac vest I'm wearing the Small Modular Plate Carrier’ from LBX, or the 0300S as it is more commonly known in the airsoft community. The 0300S is the compact model of LBX’s popular Modular Plate Carrier. As the name suggests the carrier has 360 modular webbing, on the front panel, back panel, and the cummerbund so players can customise their carrier on all sides to their needs/preferences. The top rows of webbing on the front panel also have hook Velcro so you can show off your favourite patches. 

Although it doesn’t come with plates as stock, the carrier can take 8x10 plates if players want to add a little bit of weight or help keep the shape when it isn’t in use. It features a heavy-duty drag handle which is probably more applicable in real-world application than airsoft but it's there if you need to quickly drag your mates out of a firefight. It also has hydration/comms guides on the front and rear panels to keep hydration system and communication systems organised and of course to prevent any loose cables being snagged during use – after all, no one likes catching their lines on door handles!

The 0300S is fully adjustable - the cummerbund is adjustable between 32" and 46", and as my waist is 29” it fits snuggly but still gives me enough room to wear the carrier over a softshell or hoodie as I would in the winter. As the cummerbund also has Velcro closure it can be securely fastened. The carrier also features adjustable shoulder straps which means the operator can adjust where it sits on the torso. Both shoulder straps have padded strap coverings which makes them comfortable to wear for long periods of time even when the carrier is loaded up. So we know it’s adjustable, but how does it fit? This is the main selling point for me! I’ve found very few plate carriers that can comfortably fit my small frame and contour my waist and chest but the 0300S does the job. As I’ve said, the cummerbund fits my waist pretty snug but still leaves me enough room to be worn over a light jacket or hoodie. The overall size looks/feels right on my torso and without plates, it fits the contours of my body.

I've accessorised my 0300S with the Triple HSGI Taco Modular Panel in Ranger Green from the LBX – the RG compliments the MAS Grey really well, it has 3 x M4 mag pouches and 3 x pistol mag pouches. I've also used the HSP SACK pouch to expand the carrying capacity.
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PROPPER M81 BDU SET REVIEW FROM MILITARY 1ST!

Hey everyone!

So we’re back once again with another review sponsored by Military 1st and today we’re looking at a couple more items from the Propper range – specifically the Propper BDU Polycotton Coat in M81 (US Woodland) and the Propper BDU Trousers in M81 too! I know you guys love our loadout posts and as Propper are known for their high quality and affordable BDUs this should make for an interesting post!


First off let’s talk about the Propper BDU coat – it is a classic, military BDU inspired uniform shirt with a bunch of features that make it a great option for airsofters and other outdoor enthusiasts! From the 4 large buttoned cargo pockets, reinforced elbow patches, the flap covered button up front to its tough shrink and wrinkle resistant polycotton ripstop fabric mean it is a classic style BDU that is made to last. I opted for the M81/US Woodland camo so I can incorporate this into one of my OPFOR loadouts at MilSims I’ll be attending this summer but it is available in a range of colours to suit: dark grey, khaki, A-TACS AU, A-TACS FG, dark navy, black and grey. The shirt is available in sizes XS-L so it covers a good range of sizes especially for those ladysofters out there.



When I pulled the coat from its packaging, the first thing I was drawn to was the material – the material is really smooth and feels of a good quality. The fused button flaps not only give the coat a smart look but also make it feel/look a lot more expensive than it is and the felled seams throughout the coat enhance durability of the garment and ensure its longevity for the user. The first thing I did (as you will have seen from the unboxing video) was throw the coat on to check the fit. Classically styled BDUs have always been an issue for me due to my small size but I was surprisingly very happy with the cut and fit of the coat. Luckily the cuffs on the arms have a button closure so you can adjust the fit of the arms however I am a massive fan of rolling my sleeves up during games – despite how often I get shot in those areas, and this gives me the look I prefer. The coat offered plenty of movement in the shoulders and arms without making me look like a sack of potatoes – a definite win!

The pockets are large and spacious so can hold a lot of items without too much of an issue, I feel like they would be especially good for keeping copies of maps and small notepads during MilSims for easy access (obviously don’t leave your intel in them because that’s the first place the enemy team will look!)



Lastly we have the Propper Uniform BDU trousers and these are again a classic style BDU trouser that is made from fade, shrink and wrinkle resistant material and it has an abundance of pockets for storage and tie cords on the hem to allow for adjustment. Another cool feature that I noticed whilst putting them on was the adjusters on the waist band. These particular BDU trousers are also available in a large selection of camo options to suit – black, grey, dark grey, Sheriff’s brown, khaki, olive green, A-TACS AU, A-TACS FG, dark navy and of course M81 (it is worth noting that Propper also do a cheaper version of these trousers that come in a different selection of colours, which Military 1st do stock – I’ve linked those here) They are also available in XS-Reg to XL-Reg.

As with the coat the trousers are made from the same fabric – polycotton ripstop so they are durable especially for war gaming activities such as airsoft. They have a button up fly so are secure and practical, one thing I do prefer in a trouser however is a zip up fly as I have long nails and zips are much easier to do up. So we know they’re a practical option but how do the trousers fit? As they are a classic BDU shape they are a little baggy for my own personal tastes – the waist fits well and doesn’t necessarily need a belt, although I do prefer wearing one for aesthetics. The legs are roomy from the thighs to shins, to offer the user movement and the cuff of the trouser ends at my ankle which is a great length. I would probably get these altered for a more tailored look before I wear them for a skirmish.



The coat retails at £44.00 and the trousers also retail at £44.00 so together the whole outfit retails at £88, so for a whole BDU set that is durable and long lasting is a great, affordable price, although they maybe a little more expensive than the bog standard army surplus trousers out there but you are paying for the quality of a well-known and well-made branded set.

Overall, I love the coat out of the packaging – it feels great, is practical and fits perfectly with no adjustments – it has a tailored look which I am a huge fan of. The trousers however, as they are made of the same material they are super practical for airsoft and are durable but they are a little baggy for my own tastes so I would probably have them altered to fit better and achieve a more tailored look. The classic BDU cut however is perfect for men and women who like their trousers to be a little baggier. One thing the trousers do offer is a lot of movement. They are an affordable set of camo clothing in a wide variety of camo options to suit every player and can be used for a multitude of different activities from airsoft to paintball to bushcraft and a whole range of outdoor activities. Nice one Military 1st!



Photography thanks to Silent Kitty Photography
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