Building a Vietnam Loadout

José Alaninho

Any of you guys know of any good retailers (preferably online, preferably as close to Ireland as possible) that would sell any good-quality repro / original US Vietnam gear; i.e OD / Tigerstripe BDUs, M56 webbing, the proper style helmet covers, rank / division patches etc.? Looking to build an Air Cav / 1st of the 9th loadout cos it's something i've pretty much always wanted to do (also just watched Apocalypse Now for the third time this week )

Lemming

Soldier of Fortune

Other than that, Ebay is your friend.

Puding

not a retailer but a good read in regard to vietnam airsoft

http://vietnamairsoft.com/index.php?sid=df4ff35e31c6dbf12de73ec1bff605f3

[--SC(+)PE--]

www.flecktarn.co.uk have tiger stripe Bdu's, their shipping costs are good and shipping is very quick.
They might also have some of the webbing your looking for but they tend to be expensive in that department.

Bernie Mac

Army Bargains sells tiger stripe BDU's and other bits and pieces in town but i think the tiger stripe flecktarn sell is the new issue tiger stripe not the vietnam pattern if thats what your looking for

José Alaninho

Yeah I'm a regular flecktarn customer but their 'stripe is new pattern Bulle stuff that just looks rotten; I'm really after OD's anyway. Soldier of Fortune looks like the best bet at the moment, cheers Lemming. Anyone else out there interested in 'Nam themed loadouts / games? :cool:

Edit: now I think of it, any recommendations on an M16A1 that isn't a CA? Heard bad things about the 'oul Classic Armys lately.

Bernie Mac

yeah i'm a big fan of vietnam and i actually want to get myself an oul m16a1 only problem is I have to try sell my 416 pay off a the rents and then i can look at a new aeg :P

But yeah i love the nam theme and loadouts

and actuallly just as you mention it i know a mate of mine who has the CA m16a1 and the thing is a beast great rate of fire and he has never had any problems with it

Puding

we have a few people into Vietnam airsoft down in cork, i personal have the g&p m16 vn from airsoft global, needs downgrading before shipping but a nice option for the the Vietnam look, even has the early receiver

Hande hoche!

WGC customs are apparently very good basically G&P externals with TM internals though a downgrade would be required http://www.wgcshop.com/ Just be aware some of clones marked as M16A1s are M16A2s with triangular foregrips.

Puding

wgc custom and airsoftglobals version are the same, boomarms also sells them

José Alaninho

Now that's the job Puding, remember seeing the WGC ones a while back... defo worth a look. Wouldn't trust CA again after several personal experiences :rolleyes:

Now we just need somewhere where SE-Asian jungle foliage will grow in abundance in Ireland... sunny south-east perhaps?

TheDoc

Have to say been enticed by vietnam load out lately.

I'm not going anywhere near a CA gun. No way.

Soldier of fortune looks the best place for a VN US loadout.

I have been looking at the G&P m16 vn versions.

But am considering buying a G&G plastica ( soon to come with blowback) and then building a m16 or the shorter carbine around G&G internals.

Cost shouldnt be more then buying a CA VN gun, and I'll have high quality G&G internals and lovely King Arms externals.

Its an expensive loadout to do right though.

The clothing isnt to bad, looking at 60 euro for jacket and pants, then maybe another 50-60 for webbing and bits and bobs

€250-350 for a high end VN themed gun.

(although JingGong do a m16VN, its highly inaccruate to the real deal, and its fully plastic, and very flimsy)


Have to say Vtec suggested a NVA loadout, something i didnt think off, everoyne automatically goes for the Us loadout, but i might look into the NVA one, gunwise, will be much cheaper for good quality gear.

I'd definatly be itnerested in other peoples views on Vietnam loadouts

(although granted, theres **** all Vietnam milsim goes on here, if i was to invest in a good kit, id want to play in good milsim, not a NV themed event with people using g36c, even using modern m4's would piss me off probably)

José Alaninho

Yeah a good milsim would be the biz, seen an article in airsoft international about the 'In-Country' event in England, looks f*ckin proper!:D

Besides, we'd have to wait for good tropical heat/humidity for the authentic atmosphere; either that or a 'monsoon-season' game at G-tac

José Alaninho

Puding wrote: »

wgc custom and airsoftglobals version are the same, boomarms also sells them

Puding I take it you have those two rifles? How did you find ordering off WGC? Was postage expensive or what?

Bernie Mac

do king arms not do any m16s?

Grandmasha_Yoda

Word of advice lads when dealing with SoF, dont order over the net.

Ring your order through to them.

They are notorious for sending out any old rubbish with net orders.

Hande hoche!

Will be doing a VC loadout for G-TAC's game consisting of chicom,black pajamas,pith helmet and an AK.Vietnam loadout on the cheap.

gandalf

Ok I actually have the CA M15A1vn and its been my most reliable AEG by a long shot (probably jinxed it now). The sidearm is my trusty WE M1911A1 and I have a nice M79 for artillary

I have used Brigade Quartermaster http://www.brigadeqm.com for my OD's and Tigerstripes (and yes Lemming will tell you that the BDU Jackets don't have the correct slanted breast pockets).

Name and US Army badges were ordered by Oz-cam on a bulk order all the airsofters did from the office and I can't remember their name. US Cavalry Badges from www.asmc.de.

Ebay was my friend for the M1 Helmet, Mitchell Leaf cover, Leather shoulder holster and M56 Webbing. The M56 Webbing was the most difficult to source as its very popular and commands some stupid prices.

To be fair I am not going for totally accurate look, I am going for what I feel looks the part.

José Alaninho

Hande hoche! wrote: »

Will be doing a VC loadout for G-TAC's game consisting of chicom,black pajamas,pith helmet and an AK.Vietnam loadout on the cheap.

Look forward to shooting you so Charlie

José Alaninho

gandalf wrote: »

I have used Brigade Quartermaster http://www.brigadeqm.com for my OD's and Tigerstripes (and yes Lemming will tell you that the BDU Jackets don't have the correct slanted breast pockets).

Dear Lord, I'll have to have the slanted pockets. Might as well do it right!:P

Hande hoche!

José Alaninho wrote: »

Look forward to shooting you so Charlie

Ten more will take my place or at the least a respawn.Do they make airsoft punji pits?:eek:

Aso looking forward to doing battle with you imperialist swine

cannonball

Hi,

These guys have pretty much everything except a shopping cart system. I have purchased from them and everything went well. They are based in the states.
http://www.mooremilitaria.com/products.htm

This is a German site so no Duty to pay. I've used these guys too and had no problem. I got the washed vietnam ODs. They're really comfy but too light for the weather we're having now. Will have to wait for summer. I also got a cheap M1 helmet here for 20 euro.
http://www.asmc.de/suche/vietnam.html

You'll then want to go here:
http://www.airsoftgames.com/top-m60-dx-p-524.html

I have a CA m16a1 and apart from the fuse blowing once it's been really good. Reliable(so far), good rate of fire from a big battery and accurate.

Lemming

There are a few ebay stores that do era-spec replica BDUs in varying patterns from OD to Tiger-Stripe. The one I've found reliable time and again is Ursula's Gift Shop. Cheesy name I know, but their BDUs are great.

As for milsim events, the UK is where its at this year. I'm keeping an eye on info on a 4-game/site linked event, with each end result affecting the next game-event, culminating in the battle for Hue City. The single event that got ran last year had period vehicles and the like in it too.

zero19

i had a nice vc loadout plain black bdus, decent 3 cell chicom, akm based on an army ak47 but never got to use it had to sell it on because of my lack of money...ugh

Renius

As for milsim events, the UK is where its at this year. I'm keeping an eye on info on a 4-game/site linked event, with each end result affecting the next game-event, culminating in the battle for Hue City. The single event that got ran last year had period vehicles and the like in it too.

If hear any more on this Lemming will you post it up here as that's something i'd be very interested in. I've started a VC loadout as well and would love to get to actually use it!:D

TheDoc

im still put off by buying VN weapons stock, the only name im finding that id half hearted splash 300 bucks on is the G&P..

Weapons is the main part for me, since i hate having poor operating guns

Renius

Well you're dead right as there's no point running around in a complete VC loadout yet you cant actually hit anyone because your aeg is crap! I'm half thinking of going down the Thompson road...

José Alaninho

cannonball wrote: »

These guys have pretty much everything except a shopping cart system. I have purchased from them and everything went well. They are based in the states.
http://www.mooremilitaria.com/products.htm

Looks the best of the lot so far, full uniform + insignia for $130! Not too bad. Might give them a ring later on; badly need a good 'ole mitchell leaf for my M1 helmet. I already have OD BDU pants and an M65... just insignia and webbing now... and of course a rifle

Lemming

[DM]-TheDOC- wrote: »

im still put off by buying VN weapons stock, the only name im finding that id half hearted splash 300 bucks on is the G&P..

Weapons is the main part for me, since i hate having poor operating guns

RealSword Type-56. Period accurate magazines too iirc, although I'm sure one of the stray dogs can correct me on that if need be

Puding

real sword, 56 and 56-1 perfect period pieces and built like a brick and still seen around the world today if you want to use it with a modern loadout one of the mo0st accurate aks you can get, just be aware that not all the gearbox components are not compatible with normal v2/v3 gearbox as the realsword gearbox is a slightly altered design so that the receiver can be the accurate real steel size

TheDoc

yeah im settled on the us loadout,

Camo and all that stuff seems easily available and available.

Choices on t3h guns

José Alaninho

US Air Cav FTW

Puding

what type of us loadout? airborne, marines, seals, sog ? loadout will dictate your options in terms of aeg

José Alaninho

Puding wrote: »

what type of us loadout? airborne, marines, seals, sog ? loadout will dictate your options in terms of aeg

For me? US Air Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division in II Corps. A lá....



What a legend :cool:

TheDoc

http://www.wgcshop.com/pcart/shopper.php?itm=WGC-AEG-M16VN_srch_VN

Thats the AEG im looking at, G&P, so its going to be reliable for me, and it looks authentic to the original.

For me the important thing is the AEG because i will be skirmishing this loadout, regularly, so i will go with a unit/clothing that suits.

I was looking at basic air cav, the OD clothing etc.

Puding

same as i have, very nice bit of kit, i got mine from airsoftglobal over Christmas during there sale http://airsoftglobal.com/product_info.php?products_id=5547, internals are nice quality.

TheDoc

http://www.fire-support.co.uk/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=290

that tempting me aswell.

I am looking at the m16, and both seem accurate to the original used in the war. However, TM have plastic bodies, and id kinda like a full metal one

Well ladies throw me some opinions

Puding if your looking to sell of that m16 even

Price wise is also important to me. I have heard sterling reports from firesupport, 20 pound delivery with you in two days, and being tm it will be under 1 joule. I think thats what im going with. Price wise its 200 euro delivered from what i read, an awesome gun. The VN mags are not that expensive.

I'm itching to clear my credit card and get ordering.

Lemming

Bear in mind that VC frequently used stolen US weapons, so it is not unusual to have seen M16s, M60s, and M870 trench-guns being used by the VC. NVA obviously used their own stuff.

Mix in WW2 stuff as well; BAR, Grease Gun, Thompson, Lee Enfield, Nagant, etc. and you've quite a ready mix for both VC and US SOG. SOG units (Green Berets, LRRP, SEAL, etc.) would also mix AKs so there's no real restriction on your AEG when you get down to it, unless you're planning on a very specific load-out, e.g. NVA, Marines, Infantry, AirCav.

TheDoc

Ihave settled on an M16. I'm a big of a fanboi, so ill actually go get a unit loadout to taylor around the gun

Its looking like a TM M16VN, but straight away upgrading the body to a G&P ful metal vietnam body and the whole front end with a G&P metal front grip etc.

I rang firesupport who were extremely helpful. Their delivery price is phenomonal.

THey do a TM m16VN, which is accurate enough to the details of the era, for 209 euro delivered and you get it in two days. I was settled on that for sure, but when i rang them the guy said about upgrading the body and front end to G&P metal ones. This cmae to a total of 400 euro delviered which i was about to jump on.

Then I remembered I work in an Eirsoft shop and our suppliers can get me that **** :P

I'm really looking foward to it now. Just need to clear this credit card and im on my way.

Its actually cool to see other people with the same interest. Normal skirmishes have me in utter bordeom now, and I can see myself making the effort to go abroad for Namsoft.

José Alaninho

Dont suppose you'd like to donate a gun to a broke, 'Nam-loving student airsofter would ya?

José Alaninho

Looks like I may have to go with the same rifle Doc, only without the metal body The plastic body isn't that bad is it? On the other hand, anyone have any experience with WGC a lá postage costs, etc.?

TheDoc

Wany my advice

go with fire support.

They can get it in for you 210 euro delivered, with you in 2 days from purchase. And because its TM it comes in under the limit.

Its a plastic body but I've been told TM bodies are solid enough, and as Dex told me, TM invented airsoft, so you have got some solid internals.

Theres nothing wrong with going TM to start and down the line save up for the metal parts.

Or you could just go G&P from the off and get their fully metal m16 VN, which is accurate to the bone to the original.

However this needs to get ordered from the likes of redwolf or wgc, and it will cost you minimum €400 to your door, and you will probably have to get it downgraded.

I'd go TM and just save for the metal parts.

Remember youve to invest alot into clothing aswell, so save money where you can

Granted solider of fortune has some good vietnam kit

I'm looking at getting my webbing of them, and hopefully i can get my camo from america for cheaper, have to see what happens

José Alaninho

Yeah it's looking that way at the moment... just looked at my wallet and I have a grand total of €0 in there so... yeah. I know TM have good quality internals but I'd be worried about the body taking the abuse of a skirmish. Probably worrying over nothing tho being a noob

José Alaninho

Actually I was just looking at the CA M16VN... full metal body and all that, for less than 300. Are CA's really that bad?

TheDoc

I wouldnt touch them with a bargepole

A TM would be better

A TM with G&P body and front end is best.

I looked at pudings link to a namsoft site, and tbh most of them are tlaking ****e when they say Ca are good.

Also note the posts are over a year old, when CA was respectable.

Safe to say we sold a CA m16VN a few months back and it sheered its gears first time out.

I just will not touch them, too risky for the money.

José Alaninho

So....... TM FTW Can they be upgraded to the 328 mark though? Most reviews have them at about 275 average like.

Puding

its 50/50 on the ca m16 vn, if you get an older stock version before ca started going down hill you could get a very nice piece, my father is currently using a ca m16vn +50,000 without issue, ca old stock good, ca post sportsline bad

TheDoc

Puding wrote: »

its 50/50 on the ca m16 vn, if you get an older stock version before ca started going down hill you could get a very nice piece, my father is currently using a ca m16vn +50,000 without issue, ca old stock good, ca post sportsline bad

I think although every word is spot on, that arguement is now becoming redundant.

If you want a reliable CA internal, you need to look over 12 month back. So your buying second hand, granted you've a rifle thats over 12 months old with hundreds of thusands of rounds through it, its about the time a rifle normally starts to show some general wear and tear.

So its a completely lose lose situation.

I'd recommend the TM M16, then down the line slap on a G&P body and front end. These two parts alone your looking at about 250 euro. TM gun for 200 delivered is a bargain price though and will do fine for ages, until you get your basic kit together. Then when you have the dosh to splash, get yourself the G&P parts and swop em out.

Or go G&P from sratch. Thats the only options i believe viable, from the m16Vn perspective.

The JG m16 although performs well, is horrible inaccurate looks wise to the original m16 used in nam.

You can also look at alternatives such as the m14, or the xm carbine, which is an old version of a modern m4a1 carbine. It entised me, but i decided early on i was going m16.

I've scowered the web for webbing, solider of fortune seems to have the most competitive price and quality kit. The webbing with mag pouches and arse pocket 70 euro...cant go wrong there.

The camo is awfully expensive for what is essentially just OD BDU. Looking at anywhere bwtween 60-100 euro for a set.

Boots accurate to the era are 30 euro

You can decide wether to go helmet, boonie or bandana. The helmet would be ideal, but you need to consider how bad will it make your eyewear fog. I might get all three and see what happens.

Thats really it. Gun is the essential part, and most expensive, you need something reliable and that works.

After that your webbing. Soldier of fotune has a nice webset like i said that should be fine

Camo, decide tigerstripe or od. Then have a look at different types, and get yourself sorted ( most come with patches like air cav or 101st). Should be ntoed tigerstripe was used strictly by asian advisors to the us army in the early stages of Vietnam. It was some time before some us troops started wearing it.

Boots, not essential to be accurate, but helps.

Then you can go get your patches insignias ranks etc, whatever you see fit.

Then we need to save up...to go to uk to play proper namsoft

José Alaninho

Doc you're a mine of info :cool:

So I was thinking about a budget student 'Nam loadout, just want your opinions:

• I have OD BDU pants and an OD M65 jacket already - would these work? As in, was the M65 actually used in Vietnam by Air Cav / Air Mobile troops?
• I have an M1 helmet, which is WWII original, but that won't matter cos they didn't change really... just need to find a mitchell-leaf cover.
• And that just leaves weapon + webbing + insignia which = roughly about 300 all told.

So would this work? I know I just took the BDUs out of the equation but hey, every little helps.

TheDoc

If you are jsut using it for skirmishing then yeah

The "vietnam" themed events ive been to in ireland have had people with g36c's so atleeast your making an effort.

That sounds like you have some of the basics. Webbing is the next thing for you and then your gun. Easy peasy.

Only pickity anal people would ever approach you, and pull you up on your gear for being innacurate etc, and you tell them people to **** off.

Essentially once you have OD camo, but put some effort into the webbing, era weaponry and patches etc, youll be grand

O and for the love of god, dont forget VN m16 mags, they didnt have the big ass mags until later on in the war, for the most part was 20 round short mags ( that troops only loaded 19 into , due to severe firing issues when the mag was at full capacity)

José Alaninho

[DM]-TheDOC- wrote: »

O and for the love of god, dont forget VN m16 mags, they didnt have the big ass mags until later on in the war, for the most part was 20 round short mags ( that troops only loaded 19 into , due to severe firing issues when the mag was at full capacity)

Don't have to tell me that buddy. My only gripe with the masterpiece that is Apocalypse Now was that everyone had 30 round mags - set in 1968! :eek: Apparently they used Philippines army rifles and they only had 30 round mags and birdcage flash-hiders, so, due to budget limitations.... mid-70's era M16s