Custom Gear Report

762Tactical is a custom gear company started in 2002 and went full time on 2006. The foundation of the company was built around the need for gear to use with weapon systems other than the M16/M4 series of weapons.

Colin, the owner of 762tTactical, identified the gap for weapons such as AK’s, FAL’s, G3′s, M14′s and more recently SR25/M110 SASS’s. While some of these weapons have pretty much been in continuous use in more specialized units, we have seen a resurgence even in conventional line units especially the M14 and the new M110 and to a certain extent the AK which has been widely used by civilian contractors. Of course there is always the civilian market where larger caliber semi-auto rifles have remained popular. To further cater to the civilian market 762 can also build solutions for M1 Garands, m1 carbines, 3030 Winchesters and other sporting rifles.

762′s product offerings are not limited to this however, they also make an assortment of other conventional load carrying rigs of which we have included some photos.

762Tactical’s customers range from Army and USMC snipers, SF, Civilian Contractors, 3 gun competitors, your average prepared citizen and everyone in between.

They currently have a showcase website www.762tactical.com but will be launching their online store and improved website in the next month or so. We’ll be sure to post an update when they go live. in the mean time you can contact them through the email address on their site.

Some photos of 762Tactical gear after the break.

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Zulu Nylon Gear is an up and coming custom gear company. Initially specializing in admin/organizational and EDC equipment. They have a range of products in development and you can track the development of these items on their blog.

Currently their “Mega Admin Pouch” is in production and available for Purchase in Coyote Brown with other colors to follow. We will have more info on this pouch in a future post.

Zulu prides themselves on using quality products made in the US with US Made materials. Keep an eye on this company I think they’re going places and this isn’t going to be the last you hear of them on the CGR.

Go Gear Tactical is a small and growing custom gear company based out of Washington state and owned and operated by Paul Green. Looking at Paul’s gear it is obvious he has a unique design style.

Paul has been sewing gear for 4 years and dove in professionally last year. He draws his unique design experience from years working as a metal and composites fabricator as well as hot rod builder. This background can be seen in his sewing by looking at the attention to detail, very clean stitch lines and curves.

While Paul enjoys making custom pieces and he builds everything from mag pouches to armor carriers, I would say his signature item is his padded “Boss” belt.

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Down Range Gear has just brought their new website online. Down Range Gear is owned by Chris Conner an Infantry Marine with over 11 years of service and 2 tours in Iraq along with time spent as a contract instructor, for Marine Transition Teams. Experience that give Chris first hand experience and the knowledge to know what’s needed in the field.

After 4 years of sewing gear on a part time basis Chris launched his company with a focus on bringing field gear solutions for the Grunt.

Taking a quick look at the new site you can see that Chris’ initial focus is on accessories for an often neglected piece of equipment, the helmet. He’s come up with a pretty unique goggle cover a ingenious yet simple retention system for helmet mounted Night Observation Devices as well as a strap keeper.

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U/W Gear is owned and operated by Mike Dismuke aka Diz. Mike is a long time member of the DIY Tactical Forum and good friend.

A former Marine, Mike’s custom gear building experience goes back over 22 years. Along with his time spent in the Marine Corps he draws knowledge from his background as a certified parachute rigger, gunsmith, machinist, and tactical trainer. Mike’s knowledge is unparalleled and he’s certainly generous with it as demonstrated by the many tutorials he’s contributed to help younger gear makers learn the tips and tricks of the trade. There are a couple gear makers in the field that have gotten their start under Mike’s tutelage.

Mike’s dedication to quality is top notch and his designs are some of the best I have seen. He draw inspiration from many disciplines withing the sewing industry. This can be seen in the ergonomic cut of a lot of his gear or the constant design revisions as new materials and techniques become available. Mike specializes in making custom chest rigs, armor carriers and rucksacks as well as more common items like ammo and general purpose pouches.

Mike has done work for members of all branches of the military’s conventional and special operations communities, His equipment has seen combat in Afghanistan, Iraq and other fine hot spots around the world. He’s also does work for law enforcement, contractors and prepared civilians. You cannot go wrong with custom equipment from U/W Gear.

If you’d like to contact Mike he can be reached at mdismuke[at]caroliana.rr.com or through the DIY Tactical Forums under the name Diz.

Here are some examples of Mike’s work.

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While at the Special Operations Forces Industry Conference a few months back, we had the opportunity to check out 215 Gear.

Jim, the owner of the company is a current Operator in the Special Operations Community which provides his company a unique point of view while designing gear, not to mention one of the most sought after field testing opportunities in the gear industry. When describing the company, I think Jim put it best “What makes 215 Gear stand out is that your solution is designed by an active duty SOF operator, who knows the current battlefield conditions you face, not someone who has never humped the weight and does not understand what you need to achieve.” Their motto says it all 215 gear is a true “For the Operator, by the Operator” company.

They are focused on two founding principles:

1. Make high quality gear that missions require, and are not currently on the market.
2. Make that gear in America, for our Operators that risk everything to preserve our way of life.

215 Gear provides out of the box ideas to fill many of the gaps in current gear designs. They are not focusing on redesigning the same ammo pouch over and over, they are developing solutions to fill current voids.

Specializing in what Jim calls “Custom Production” 215 Gear has set up their comapny to be able to act quickly to changing demands with a rapid prototyping capability to meet ever changing battlefield requirements. Unlike the larger companies’, 215 gear has the ability to individually tailor a gear solution for you or your unit which is what custom gear is about.

Another items to emphasize is that all their products are made in the USA. Like 215 Gear, CGR feels that American warriors should be using gear made by Americans. Standby for upcoming gear reviews.

Contact info for 215 Gear:

www.215gear.com
(757) 689-4560
Info[at]215gear.com

A long time friend, Mil-Spec Monkey has a unique store where he sells many of his popular morale patches, stickers & t-shirts, along with some gear of his own design.

Monkey is a talented artist and continues to crank out original and collaborative designs. His business is growing and he currently has several dealers adding his products to their inventories.

Another sign of MSM’s success is the fact that his designs are continuously being ripped off by Asian airsoft companies. CGR is calling for a boycott on all such companies.

Here are some of our favorite MSM patch designs:

[album: http://www.customgearreport.com/main/images/msm/patches/]

Essential Tactical aka ESSTAC is a small to medium sized equipment manufacturer owned and operated by Stu Wilson and based out of Washington state. Stu employees several sewers and focuses on production for dealers in the US, Canada and Europe.

Although ESSTAC has a formal product line they can, on a case by case basis, do custom work. Keep in mind that as with most custom shops there are usually significant lead times. If you don’t have the patience for custom work might want to consider somthing off the shelf.

About a year an a half ago Stu sent us a goodies box. He threw in a Bush Boar Chest Rig, a few pistol mag pouches, some Toaster rifle mag pouches, GP pouches, and a Metro Bag. We won’t review each item in this article, We’ll save that for later, but as a general overview Stu builds his gear tough some might call it overbuilt. Most items are made from double layer, laminated 1000D Cordura. Exposed seams are bound and double and triple stitched where necessary. Unusual for a relatively small production shop Stu bartacks all PALS webbing. Overall construction techniques are sound and ESSTACS Products are well made.

Along with being well made their designs are pretty unique and versatile as well. For example the Bush Boar has removable magazine panels. So you can swap 5.56 for 7.62 while maintains the same platform and not having to buy an entirely new rig.

As mentioned most items are double layered Cordura so if you are someone who likes to travel light ESSTAC’s off the shelf items might not be what your looking for and you might need to contact them for some custom work.

However if you are the type that likes bomb proof gear, that will last multiple deployments, and don’t mind the extra weight then ESSTAC is what you are looking for.