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Public webbing walk?

Gunny

Gunny

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Hi,

I've been working on making own webbing from scratch similar to my kit in the photo, and I want to load it up and go for a hike to see how it fares. My question is: Can I load it up with empty mags and 40mm shells with no gas so they are totally inert and take it out for a hike?

I don't intend to take anything out of their pouches, but having them in there would really help to get a feel for how everything feels holding their intended contents. There would be no weapons of any kind contained in the kit. I want to know if this would be legal to do in the UK.

Thanks in advance!

View attachment 155979

 
You'd certainly get some odd looks, but outside of doing some star jumps in your own home I'd have thought that as long as you're well off the beaten track away from Joe Public you'd be OK.

I'd certainly suggest finding some weights other than mags and grenades though. Bags of sand or something?

 
I think it's technically legal, though you could still get the police called on you by another walker who just sees someone walking around in military kit which looks filled with gear; they may not know exactly what it is, but I could see someone getting concerned and making the call. I'm no legal expert, but I wouldn't be surprised if you would get in trouble with the police in that instance for some sort of public order offense.

For seeing how my kit holds the weight, I do that around the house. Load it up with all my mags and other gear and just walk around the house. If it feels good, then I take it to a game day and use it, see what works and what doesn't, and then tweak it as needed.

 
Lozart said:
You'd certainly get some odd looks, but outside of doing some star jumps in your own home I'd have thought that as long as you're well off the beaten track away from Joe Public you'd be OK.

I'd certainly suggest finding some weights other than mags and grenades though. Bags of sand or something?
Click to expand...
I was going to say the same thing. Load it up with weights, bottles of water, sand, just anything that if you do get stopped (unlikely but possible) you can show that you're testing the equipment or strength training like people who run plate carriers with training plates, because they hate their knees I guess.

 
Definitely don't load it up with game day kit, while its technically not illegal, if a concerned member of the public reports concerns & you're stopped & searched, weird questions will be asked & you, & by definition, airsoft, will be looked at unfavourably. 

Plus while the kit isn't illegal, pretty sure there are laws regarding causing fear etc to the public, which could be used to charge you.

Don't leave the house wearing it, travel to a suitable area where walking/running is the norm, & load the vest up with tins of beans or bags of sugar, more than enough to test its suitability.

Or you do what we did in the forces, adjust to fit, load up with kit, & jump up & down in your "billet", if it feels secure, leave it til gameday.

 
Save the hassle, just don't.

Tactically sweep the house instead, few laps up and down the stairs to see how it fits and she'll be right.

 
i wouldn't bother.

if you want the exercise just load up a backpack with whatever you think would be an appropriate weight for your fitness and go hike.

if you want to try out how the gear works, then a mere hike won't do it for you as not only will you have plenty of opportunity in-game, but the crouching, ducking, crawling, leaning and other movements will reveal issues that just walking won't.

 
Yeah you move very different during a game of Airsoft than you do during a hike. You're almost always off the trail, and often contorted into whatever shape will fit behind the tree, rock, or other cover that's between you and the guy shooting at you.

Plus yeah, the public don't know that you probably aren't hiding a foldable full semi auto assault machine gun rifle in your bag and will probably call the police on you. And unlike shoplifting, they actually tend to respond to those calls.

 
Gunny said:
My question is: Can I load it up with empty mags and 40mm shells with no gas so they are totally inert and take it out for a hike?
Click to expand...


OP - I'd swap the 'can' in your posed question with 'should'.

I think in this hobby it's really worth stepping outside of our little bubble and taking a look at ourselves from an outsider's perspective.  

Our hobby is fucking weird.

'Oh yeah, at the weekend I dress up like a soldier and run around with other grown men, but also children, and play with toy guns.  Sometimes I like to wear my soldier costume in my house and look at myself in the mirror.  Oh yeah that's the wall in my office that I've dedicated to hanging all my toy guns on so I can stare at them.'

Yes, we all know we're a bunch of harmless dorks who love a weekend of BB wars as an alternative to a 5-a-side match or a round of golf.  To the general public (especially in today's intolerance fuelled culture of performative indignation) we're the people they should make laws about to make our streets and public spaces safer, only the army should be allowed to have military equipment, why can't they just play paintball... you get the idea.

 
Thanks for all your replies 👍

You pretty much echo my thoughts on it. I just wanted to know if it was legal or not.

I sometimes get odd looks when I'm out hiking in full camo gear, but I don't care what anyone thinks. I love using military kit when I'm out hiking for the day or an overnight camp. I thought it might be a good idea to go out and test my scratch-built webbing while I'm out for the day. If I do it, I think it's probably better to do it in the dark where it's less likely that anyone will see me.

Thanks again 👍

 
The fact that you asked the question proves your not a complete and utter idiot.  However if your seriously considering this, then you not far off!

SERIOUSLY DO NOT DO IT.  If anyone sees you they will almost certainly call the police on you which will probably result in an armed response.  At the best you will then spend a few hours in the cop shop while they question you and look into your background. 

As well as the possible consequences for you it is another mark against airsoft.

 
I've seen a couple of goontube videos were people have gone for a walk while discussing and wearing a particular bit of kit and tbh it just looks cringy and attention seeking. These chats could just as easily (if not easier) be done at home 

 
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I've only seen one where it's Americans and a Finnish guy, who both tend to have a more chill familiarity with military stuff. 

Especially the Finns right now.

 
AATV have a few webbing walks on youtube, not a bad channel for kit reviews, but a bit dry at times.

 
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