There is a replica AirFrame helmet on the market now. Hopefully, it won’t be a problem for anybody who wants to use it for real world use as the manufacturer even states that it is only intended for display use. However, the fact that there are replica helmets out there is reason enough to put out an alert. Make sure the helmet and other PPE you purchased or were issued is the real deal. Generally, this isn’t a problem if you were issued the equipment new through RFI or CIF. However, if it’s a reissue take a hard look at it. There is nothing to say that someone before you didn’t turn in a cheap knockoff in order to clear. Sometimes, these copies, which are generally built for MilSim use are very well executed and can fool someone who isn’t looking for a fake.
If you are purchasing your gear from an off base outfitter or through the web, give it the once over before you put it into service.
Heads up, I recently ran across some fake Ops-Core Fast helmets on ebay recently. They look pretty close to the real thing. It’s only a matter of time before someone sells them as the real thing after they’re done playing airsoft with it.
One telltale sign is the mold marks. You can see the white circles where the shell was removed from the steam. The padding may also be different. And finally, the webbing and buckles on the chin strap may be of different material.
Eric
What’s the point? I don’t like the idea of having fake anything floating around. Gives the bad guys a chance to scam people. If its for airsoft give me a break. I don’t get airsoft??? Also what’s the point. I don’t get what’s so great about Tactical gear. Well I do but not really. When I got my first sets of Crye precision issued to me I was stoked! But I was stoked cause it got so well and allowed me to move that much faster to help me kill the enemy or to help me protect myself or my brothers. When I got a new lighter helmet I was stoked cause it was way more comfortable and It had rails we could install so we could mount a cam and lights and stuff. When we deploy again we are taking the HK416 with us and by the way it’s the best . The 416 is really something special. Yes all this is stuff is cool because it will help us kill the enemy and maybe do it a little safer and possibly more comfortablely but I will bet my white butt on it that I will never wear a helmet if I don’t need to and I will not wear boots if I can wear flip flops and I really will not wear a vest with close to 240 rounds on it with a pack that ways another 40 if not more because I think it’s fun. I JUST DON’T GET TGE AIRSOFT AND MILITARY REPLICA GEAR! Dress up like a football player that makes $20mil a year because even though every military person is a true hero there is nothing glamorous about killing and fighting to stay alive. I am good at being a soldier and I love it and I have fun doing my job but it’s nothing anyone should be pretending to do . It’s bad enough I enjoy it. I am a little sick I think. Join the military don’t pretend to join the military.
Sean, I think you are missing the point of airsoft. A lot of airsofters are actually current military or law enforcement. In fact, nearly half of the team I am on is either military or law enforcement. They see it as a good way to hone the skills they are taught, and rely on to save their lives and the lives of others. For the rest of us, it’s just a good way to get outside, play an enjoyable hobby and meet some friends. I respect the men and women who fight for my freedom, and I think playing airsoft has made that respect grow even more. We look up to the men and women who are actually in the military and we replicate this respect through our hobby. I don’t see the problem with that. I’ve never met an airsofter who played because he/she thought killing people was “glamorous”. We play because shooting at each other with plastic bbs is fun. Just like playing a war video game, lazer tag, or wrestling around the room with friends is fun.
I understand why products like this can be a bad thing, we don’t want our troops to end up with the “life-saving” replicas that won’t do their job when it counts. These aren’t generally marketed as the real thing, and while sometimes it may happen, the best way to get around that is to educate yourself on what your purchasing as the original post here discusses.
Another clue would be that it’s made out of plastic and is clearly not rated to stop ballistic threats as the real airframe helmet is. I’m sure the replica would be adequate to protect your head from bumps, low hanging objects and general clumsiness however.
Who buys PPE from ebay and other potential sketchy sites? If you’re looking for gear to save your life, why would you search for the best possible deal? It seems like common sense that you’d buy reliable gear from reliable sources.
Here’s a timely video review of the replica:
http://arniesairsoft.co.uk/news2/36879
Okay – narrator ain’t gonna win any Emmy’s but…
Another potential clue that you’re not buying the real deal is the price, if it’s like only 25% the cost of the normal price then chances are you’re buying a replica. Another good hint is if the site that you’re buying doesn’t carry or only carries a few real brand named tactical gear then chances you’re dealing with a site aimed at the mil-sim/airsoft crowd and not meant for real military personnel to use for real duty.
I hear these sneaky Asian guys are also making toys that look just like real guns. No shit. You can only tell the difference when you try and put real bullets in it and you find out you’re actually a retard.