I ordered a canteen cover from a "reputable" vendor who claimed it to be military issue, but when it arrived, the Rothco tag gave away the game. I finally did get the real thing, but it was considerably more expensive (and considerably better made).
These days, I couldn't care less if something is military issue or not, and if I were young enough to need more outdoor gear, I wouldn't fool with military issue/mil-spec/mil-type unless there wasn't a better commercial version.
Mr. niteowl77
“These days, I couldn’t care less if something is military issue or not, and if I were young enough to need more outdoor gear, I wouldn’t fool with military issue/mil-spec/mil-type”
Mostly enlisted men know that “Milspec” also means “Lowest bidder”.
So when you, yourself are out camping or hanging with some friends by the fire, the consumer grade stuff is designed perfectly for that. If you’re sitting in a hollowed out, sh!t filled log for 3 days to spot some a-hole with a beard and then report it back so your 3 days in hell can be ignored or your reports lost then you can pretty much be aligned with issued gear.
MOLLE equipment is the biggest scam in this. These vests and “systems” are utter junk, UNLESS you have a supply line behind you where you can replace it every 2 weeks.
That’s why I work on every topic from two angles: Mil-spec and American Rifleman. The Rifleman doesn’t have a supply line behind him, and should prefer the Garand over the Armalite. The AR platform is designed for guys in the field with armorers back at base, waiting for their complaints repairs and refittings.
***I ordered a canteen cover from a “reputable” vendor who claimed it to be military issue,***
I went to a gun show several years go to look up a cheekpad for an M1-D Garand. II saw a lot of them! The seller assured me they were GENUINE military issue! “It even has the maker’s name on it!” MRT.
Anyone who knows military issue knows MRT means Mildew Resistance Treated. I did not buy from him.