Mil-spec products?

**your_comforting_company** · 09-10-2010, 07:29 AM

Anyone familiar with this brand? I got a new catalog from sportsmansguide, and there are a few items I'd like to buy to add to my kit and to give as Christmas presents. I'm not familiar with "Mil-spec" brand and wondered if anyone has experience with their products. I'm looking to get a handful of ferro rods, some paracord, pocket flashlights, and a few other things.

Any input is greatly appreciated. Don't want to give folks crappy equipment...

**oldsoldier** · 09-10-2010, 10:00 AM

Not sure... is mil-spec the actual product name? I have several "mil-spec" items, but not by that "manufacturer. Mil-spec usually means it's made using military specifications.

**your_comforting_company** · 09-10-2010, 11:30 AM

It was the only thing that resembled a manufacturer name on the items. Perhaps it's an off-brand and rather than say "knock off" they say "mil spec". Would you propose that the items you have are just as good as brand name stuff? I would assume so if it's made to military specifications.. I just saw so many items with that tag on them I thought it had to be a brand..

**beetlejuicex3** · 09-10-2010, 12:23 PM

I did a quick search on google.

The only Mil-Spec inc I found sells cables and wiring.

There's a Milspec Gear that sells outdoor products from a bajillion manufacturers.

In our experience the two main purveyers of "mil-spec" gear in the US is Fox Outdoors and Rothco. Countless Chinese manufacturers make mil-spec products for import and sale to the US where these guys, and others, pick them up and put them in their catalogs.

We have seen dealer price lists at several "higher end" US mil-spec type suppliers (popular ones) and based on their wholesale numbers it is apparent their their stuff is made overseas as well.

We've talked to a few backpack manufacturers in China - they will slap camo on anything and call it mil-spec. Sometimes its US mil-spec, sometimes its Chinese mil-spec, sometimes it just says mil-spec and they can't tell you why.

A clue that what you're looking at is a made-in-the-USA mil-spec item is that it costs 75% more than any of its competitors. Barring DOD liquidation items which are inexpensive. That and no tag that says made in China...

**your_comforting_company** · 09-10-2010, 04:24 PM

Thanks for clearing that up GB.

**Rick** · 09-10-2010, 04:36 PM

The name of the company is MilSpec Plus.

http://www.milspecplus.com/Default.aspx

**crashdive123** · 09-10-2010, 05:40 PM

Any site that forces you to become a member in order to see the pricing is suspect in my opinion.

**hunter63** · 09-10-2010, 06:29 PM

I see some "Mil -spec stuff being sold in my favorite surplus store, guy says it's china stuff, but he couldn't get a lot of real Military stuff, so offers it as a substitute.

Sportsman Guide also sells this brand, and it is just a brand, my last batch of para-cord was "Mil spec" brand.

**Rick** · 09-10-2010, 06:53 PM

I think they are wholesale only. I don't deal with them so I could be wrong. You have to register at most of the wholesaler web sites in order to view pricing. That's why Sportsmanguide carries them. I don't think they make everything they wholesale either.

**crashdive123** · 09-10-2010, 07:47 PM

Gotcha......

**canid** · 09-10-2010, 07:49 PM

Originally Posted by your_comforting_company

I would assume so if it's made to military specifications.. I just saw so many items with that tag on them I thought it had to be a brand..

i would not venture to assume any product advertized as mil-spec to be telling the truth, unless it is a defense-contracted manufacturer selling surplus.

**your_comforting_company** · 09-11-2010, 06:14 AM

hunter63, as the paracord is one of the items I was going to purchase, How has your roll been holding up? It's advertised as 7strand 550lb tensile. Cordage is necessary and this is very field expedient.

**Rick** · 09-11-2010, 08:50 AM

YCC - Here's a post I did on paracord a couple of years ago. I hope it helps. It will probably save you some money. The prices are still pretty accurate.

There are a lot of variations on paracord. Many meet official military specifications for their required use and many don't. However, there are generally two types that you will see for sale. MIL-C-5040 Type III and 550 Commercial Type III.

MIL-C-5040, from a wholesale perspective, is about twice the price of 550 Commercial. That's why you often see such a wide variation in price. You can expect to pay in the $45+ range for Commercial 550 for a 1000 foot spool and in the 75+ range for MIL-C-5040 for a 1000 foot spool (retail). The cost, of course, depends on manufacturer and the retailer's markup but that will put you in the ballpark. It even gets more confusing because the minimum breaking strength for 550 Commercial varies by manufacturer. Some are as low as 250 pounds while others will certify their commercial cord at 550 pounds, the same as MIL-C-5040 Type III.

If you want some cordage for field use (that's what this forum is about, right?) then 550 Commercial Type III should be sufficient. Not certain why anyone would want to pay the additional money for genuine MIL-C-5040 just to replace a boot lace or to be able to carry some thread or fishing line. Is MIL-C-5040 better that 550 Commercial? Probably, depending on manufacturer. It won't shrink nearly as much because it goes through a shrink process for coloring (except the natural or white color). The 550 Commercial will shrink more because it's a solution dyed material. Regardless of what you hear, paracord shrinks although the amount of shrinkage in MIL-C-5040 is negligible. But the 550 Commercial is still tough as nails, lightweight, and less expensive. Folks seem to have it in their heads that if it isn't MIL-C-5040 then it must not be quality material and that's just not true. Granted, I wouldn't want my parachute canopy strung with 550 Commercial Type III but 550 Commercial Type III for use outdoors is just fine and should excel for general cordage use. Not convinced? Buy some of each and field test it. I'll bet quality 550 Commercial meets all your needs and then some.

I would shy away from paracord with less than seven inner strands and certainly bypass any that has internal fibers rather than strand. The whole purpose of taking the stuff with you is to have as much cordage as possible and why carry paracord with five inner strands when you can carry seven for the same price? For a ten foot piece of paracord that's 60 feet vs. 80 feet (inner strands + outer sheath).

Just look for cord that has seven inner strands and you will "probably" have the 550 Commercial Type III. Look at the add closely, if it says "meets MIL-C-5040 requirements", "Just like MIL-C-5040", etc. then you probably have 550 Commercial.

An add that says Type III paracord really doesn't tell you anything. Neither does 550 pound rated or 550 Type III. Either type could qualify. If you have any questions, ask your retailer for specifics. They should be able to furnish it including whether or not the cord is certified as MIL-C-5040 and/or the minimum breakage rating. If they can't, find another retailer. Just be wary if they tell you it's 550 Commercial and it has a minimum breakage rating of 550 pounds. That may not be the case unless it is certified at that weight. They may be sincere in their belief but they may also be very wrong. You might also want to ask where the paracord is manufactured and if the manufacturer is a current U.S. military provider. A U.S. based manufacturer that supplies the military must meet stringent specifications and that quality usually overlaps to their commercial products. It's expensive to retool just to make different qualities.

Paracord, even MIL-C-5040 was not designed, and it should not be used, for climbing or rappelling. While its uses are many and varied, it does not contain the same properties and safety characteristics as climbing rope. Paracord is not fine-tuned for the optimum combination of weight, number of falls, impact force, elongation, handling and durability that is found in commercial climbing ropes. Ropes designed primarily for sport climbing must provide a soft catch and be durable, while not having too much elongation. Paracord does not provide any of these features. That is not what it is designed for. Don't put you life at risk by misusing paracord to climb or rappel with.

**your_comforting_company** · 09-11-2010, 10:01 AM

No mountains around here to climb.. maybe hold the boat tied to a stump or something, but other than lashings and normal field use, 550 commercial should be fine. Good info there. I'll go on the site and check specs to compare, but my normal stuff is just the carpenters string from the building supply so even if it's crap quality 550, it's gotta be as good as that stuff. Really just don't want to spend a lot of money on poor quality, if you know what I mean. I'll check the manufacturer too. Thanks again Rick

**oldsoldier** · 09-11-2010, 08:23 PM

Originally Posted by your_comforting_company

It was the only thing that resembled a manufacturer name on the items. Perhaps it's an off-brand and rather than say "knock off" they say "mil spec". Would you propose that the items you have are just as good as brand name stuff? I would assume so if it's made to military specifications.. I just saw so many items with that tag on them I thought it had to be a brand..

YCC I have several items that are "mil-spec" including 4 sets of ACU cammies. As well as a couple of "issue" ones IMHO if you put them both side by side and don't look at the tags you couldn't tell the difference. It's just the mil-spec seems to be cheaper priced. I also have a level 3 trauma pack that is mil-spec and great quality. Now that may or may not be true with everything but.......