Uniform, Weapon, and Equipment Guide
US Army Infantry Kit Guide
- http://david.brubakers.us/Vietnam/index.html
- http://www.mooremilitaria.com
- http://vietnamairsoft.com/
USGI UNIFORMS
Pants:
Reproduction 2nd or 3rd. Pattern Poplin Jungle Fatigue Pants
- Moore's Militaria: $75
- Omaha's: $30
Shirts
Reproduction 2nd or 3rd. Pattern Poplin Jungle Fatigue Shirt
-
Moore's Militaria: $75
-
Omaha's: $30
Headgear
M1 helmet with Mitchell Cover: $30-$75
-
Moore's Militaria: $65
-
Ebay
Boonie Hat
-
Moore's Militaria: $25
-
Omaha's: $15
Feet
Jungle Boots: Don't skimp on these as bad boots can wreck your day. Avoid the $30 Chinese reproductions which will melt in water.
-
Altama Jungle Boots: $90
-
Moore's Militaria: $70
-
Omahas: $90
Web Gear
M-56 and M-67 refer to the date brought into service. M-56 gear brought into service in 1956 is canvas while M-67 gear is nylon. Here's what you'll need:
H-Harness - comes in two sizes Regular and Long.
If you are fat or tall make sure you get the Long ones
-
Moore's Militaria: $15-$25
Pistol Belt
-
Moore's Militaria: $25-$40
2 x M-56 or M-67 Ammo Pouches
-
Moore's Militaria: $8-$15
2 x Canteens with Canteen Covers
-
Moore's Militaria: $15-$20
Additional Items that improve your impression
Compass/First Aid Pouch
-
Moore's Militaria: $10
Buttpack
-
Moore's Militaria: $30
Entrenching Tool and Cover
-
Moore's Militaria: $45
USGI Mess Kit and Utensils
-
Moore's Militaria: $20
USGI T-Handle Canteen Cup
WEAPONS / MAGAZINES
Weapons:
All period correct weapons are acceptable at HMSG events: M16A1, XM-177, Thomspon, Shotgun, etc. M4/M16 variants are allowed as long as modern gear such as rails and scopes are removed or covered. If you are putting together a line doggie impression, however, then you will want a M16A1. Classic Army, G&P, and Echo1 all make good ones. Echo1 is the cheapest but is also all plastic.
Magazines:
HMSG events encourage using low cap magazines to force magazine changes, simulate the flow of battle where ammunition can run out, and to make support weapons more valuable. If you don't have low caps then mid caps can be loaded with 40 rounds to simulate a low cap. We like low caps made by Echo1 and Star. Echo1 makes a 35Rd low cap and Star a 20Rd low cap. These cost about $50 for a box of 10.
Half the fun of Namsoft is piecing together your kit, especially if you can appreciate the history of such equipment. For those with money and little time, there are several ready-made reproduction packages sold by suppliers for those who want to jump right in. However, a US Army infantry kit can be pulled together on a budget and still look legit.
Probably the most convenient source for uniforms and equipment are your local surplus stores. Often times, original uniforms can be found in bargain bins. Local swap meets and flea markets are also a decent source. Garage sales can also be a surprising source.
The Gear – The provided list above for actual issued equipment is a good basic list to start your web gear. Some grunts carried more of one item or another, but you do want at least 2 canteens on you for real water hydration purposes. You can mix and match M1956 and M1967 gear. For most HMSG events, use of modern day ALICE gear – which is very cheap at surplus stores – is quite acceptable. We like to adhere to the “20 foot rule.” If it looks legit from 20 feet away, you are good to go. ALICE ammo pouches can be made to look like M1967 pouchs by cutting off the side grenade holders. An ALICE Y-Harness is also acceptable, however I have heard from real veterans that the H-Harness is more comfortable.
Lightweight Rucksacks are somewhat rare and thus VERY expensive. It is hard to find a completely intact LWR with pack and straps for less than $200. An ALICE frame with a small or medium pack is a good substitue. Tropical Rucksacks are a bit more easier to find. Steel pot helmets are usually pretty plentiful as it was used by the US military for over 60 years. The Mitchell cover can found readily and no Vietnam grunt kit should be without a steel pot in a Mitchell cover. Current issue plastic canteens are certainly acceptable, and perhaps even safer than using period canteens.
With ODs, boots, some web gear and a steel pot, you are good to go!
Advanced Kits – Unlesss you jump right in with both feet into the deep end and get a ready-made package for your kit, chances are you have started out with a basic kit, have attended one or a few events, and now feel the need to kick up level of your kit: welcome to your addiction. The best thing about trading up is you can sell/give your old basic kit pieces to friends who are looking to get into Namsoft as well. You may feel the need to get kits that are year-specific… 1968 is a good year to model as that is when troop levels in Vietnam were at their highest and it was also a transition period for the uniforms and gear so either M1956 or M1967 gear is good. You may feel that the Rothcos are not legit enough and want either original or better reproduction uniforms.
Collecting personal items such as mess kits, canteen cups, eating utensils, period-correct cigarette packs only add to the overall immersion of HMSG events. Other, and more essential, items include a poncho and poncho liner. The poncho has many uses beyond keeping rain out… it is essentially your best friend in the field. It is a sun shelter with some paracord. If you smoke, it is your light discipline shield for copping a puff in the field at night. Coupled with a poncho liner, it is your sleeping bag. Most HMSG events are at least 24 hours long, with time spent sleeping in the field. Enough can’t be said about the versatility of a poncho.