Helmet: A Recommendation
Above: ACH with multicam cover and night vision mount
Helmets.
To wear or not to wear?
A debate all in itself.
Mission/Situation will drive it, but I know that if I am in a kinetic environment, I would like to be wearing one.
There are almost two strands to this thought process, and the point of this post is not to get too much into the weeds on it:
1) You want a helmet for bump/ballistic protection.
2) You want somewhere to mount your NVG’s.
If you decide that you want one for both ballistic protection and mounting NVGs, then you have a few choices. The current trend is for the ‘gunfighter’/FAST style helmet where it is cut high over the ears. That’s the cool guy stuff right there. I have one just like that.
However, I also have an Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH). And you know what, there is absolutely nothing wrong with these helmets. They are great. Really, many people deep down want the gunfighter style because they want to look like one of the cool guys. As in “I’m so special operations tacticoolaid that I don’t wear an ACH.”
Granted, there are good reasons for the gunfighter style (mainly for ear accoutrements). But the ACH is better at protecting you from flying dangerous stuff. Also, you can get improved chinstraps for them and even better pads for the inside, even rails and ballast, so that it closes the gap between the gunfighter style and the crappiness of the ACH with NVGs.
So, I was looking for an ACH, and for how much, because it would be a pain in the butt having to change out the current ‘ICU’ cover on mine for a multicam one every time I actually want to be camouflaged (i.e. on MVT Combat Patrol weekends, when using my night vision gear, for SHTF etc).
Guess what:
Fort Bragg Surplus, Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH) Kevlar, U.S. Military: $164.99
FORT BRAGG SURPLUS ONLY SHIPS THIS ITEM TO U.S. CITIZENS WITHIN THE UNITED STATES.
Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH):
The Official United States Military Issue Kevlar Advanced Combat Helmet – A.C.H. – provides improved ballistic and impact protection. Advanced Combat Helmet is based on the MICH (Modular Integrated Communications Helmet) design and provides an improved helmet to Soldiers, replacing the older PASGT (Personal Armor System for Ground Troops). In addition to providing the Soldier ballistic and impact protection, it can be used as a platform to mount electronics such as communication devices, and Night Vision devices (NVG mount sold separately). It provides increased 9mm bullet protection. The reduced edge cut of the ACH, although reducing area of coverage, will improve the field of vision and hearing, leading to better situational awareness over the current helmet.
The ACH Features:
Helmet Kevlar (Shell O.D. Green)
7 Pad Suspension System (NOTE: Some Helmets we are recieving are coming with the New Team Wendy Epic Suspension System)
4 point Retention System, Chinstrap/Napestrap (O.D. Green or Black)
Pre-drilled hole for NVG Mount
All Pads, Covers and Suspensions Systems have been Cleaned, Disinfected and or Replaced with New.
Condition
Prior Issued, Excellent Condition
You want a better strap system?
ACH Head-Loc Retention System H-Nape L/XL TAN
The Head-Loc RS was developed to improve safety, comfort and stability of chinstraps used in MICH/ACH ballistic helmets. Every component, down to each stitch pattern, was designed specifically for this purpose, giving the ACH greater utility than ever before. Custom adjustment tabs allow the helmet to be adjusted while wearing it, without any hanging loose ends.
I have one on my ACH – this makes wearing NVGs equivalent to a high speed gunfighter style helmet. .
You want a multicam helmet cover? Advanced Combat Helmet Cover – Multi Cam
You can buy any number of cool functional accessories, such as side rails like on the gunfighter style helmets.
“just saying”
Max
True story. Take it a step further. For all the first aid training you can get out there, in a SHTF scenario, which many of you prep for, wounds to the head are going to be pretty difficult to treat once clear of the battlefield. Your head must be protected at all times and anyone who sustains an injury there becomes a serious liability to the rest of the group, never mind a concussion or something less severe but still affect your ability shoot move and communicate
Totally agree on the ACH recommendation. I either use that or the “Nightcap” https://tnvc.com/shop/crye-precision-nightcap%E2%84%A2-nvg-platform/
for night vision use, the “skull crusher NOD mount is aptly named.
A helmet is another one of those must gets on my to buy list. I have been looking for a k-pot but have been leery of buying something I didn’t know anything about. Thanks for the link Max. Will definitely check it out.
There is also tactical style bump helmets out there that will protect your noggin and have NVG mounts and rails.
They offer no ballistic protection, but the trade off is a serious reduction in weight if that is a major concern to you.
I’m of the mind that if I am going to be wearing a helmet at all, it might as well be IIIA rated too, but the non-ballistic ones are seriously lighter.
This may be subjective, but high cut helmets not only help people confuse you for a fat-ass Navy SEAL, but it does make it easier to pinpoint the direction of sounds with your god given ears over a full coverage helmet…
I did an actual post on helmets sometime back. I’ll dig up the link later.
Here: nightcap: http://www.maxvelocitytactical.com/2014/07/the-awesome-must-have-gear-item/
Night vision helmet use: http://www.maxvelocitytactical.com/2014/07/night-vision-practical-gear-use-1-by-chris/
Hi Max, hope you and yours are doing well. Quick ?; for the ACH, what type of ear protection can you use, since the regular Howard Leights dont seem to fit it would seem.
I bought an ACH/crye cover on EBAY for $85. and free shipping. excellent condition. No mount though.