Trouble shouldering rifle with Osprey MkIV

[Holly Wallace]

Hi all,

 

I'll get to the point, I run an Osprey MkIVa frequently, And I've always had a problem finding a comfortable shouldering position with my AEG. 

 

I get the feeling the rubber shoulder pad on the right is a bit too high, As the point where I'd usually shoulder my rifle is only half covered by the rubber, And slips easily.

 

I'm really not a big person, And the vest is in the smallest 170 size. Just wondering if anyone if I have it adjusted wrong, Or if I'm shouldering it wrong? 

 

If more info's needed or anything like that I'll try and provide. I am new to the forums.

Thanks in advance

[Tackle]

Hi Holly, welcome to the forum, while I've never used any of the Osprey stuff, my understanding is they're quite heavy & cumbersome, with not much flexibility. 

Have you tried an alternative rig, or none at all for a short game, it will tell you if the vest is the problem.

Alternatively is the rifle a good fit, possibly front end heavy ?

Or even what eyepro/face protection are you using, many full masks will stop you aligning the sights properly, but if you force the mask down on to the rear stock in order to "sight" on your target, it's unlikely that your rifle will be shouldered properly. 

Lots of things to consider, more info is definitely needed ?

[Holly Wallace]

53 minutes ago, Tackle said:

Hi Holly, welcome to the forum, while I've never used any of the Osprey stuff, my understanding is they're quite heavy & cumbersome, with not much flexibility. 

Have you tried an alternative rig, or none at all for a short game, it will tell you if the vest is the problem.

Alternatively is the rifle a good fit, possibly front end heavy ?

Or even what eyepro/face protection are you using, many full masks will stop you aligning the sights properly, but if you force the mask down on to the rear stock in order to "sight" on your target, it's unlikely that your rifle will be shouldered properly. 

Lots of things to consider, more info is definitely needed ?

 

My rifle is a little front heavy (SRC AK, AK-100 style foregrips with a 1x40 and vertical grip), So I suppose that'd affect things.

 

Eyepro's some generic goggles with a mesh lower facemask. Had some trouble with the mesh interfering with the cheek hold, But I've managed to form it so it's out the way enough.

 

I get the feeling I'm either too small for the smallest size of Osprey, Or I've got it adjusted wrong. I may have to look into a battle belt or other rig.

Thanks

[Tackle]

TBH everyone goes through the full plate carrier period, it's what's generally seen in the media in the various conflicts etc, but the truth is they're overkill for airsoft for so many reasons, & most players eventually see the light & switch to more suitable kit.

[Chev Chelios]

As Tackle says plate bags are a bit naff and the osprey being not just plate bags but also designed to carry soft armour panels as well makes it super naff. If you also have big boobs its just not gonna work well.   

 

I would recommend a split front chest rig like the TT MAV or Flektarns rip off https://www.flecktarn.co.uk/sdtmb2nx.html it can be worn as a chest rig or belt kit and being a split front super easy to don and doff with huge amounts of adjustment.  Chuck some 7.62 pouches for your AK mags on and you should be good to go. 

 

Ref your AK, does it have a solid stock? If it does its worth looking at adjustable stocks so you can fit the LOP (length of pull) better to you. Another option if not a die hard AK head the MP5 is a favourite of my tiny 13 year old niece when combined with a good sling will run around happily all day with it. 

[ButcherBill]

1 minute ago, Chev Chelios said:

If you also have big boobs its just not gonna work well.   

Unfortunately this applies to many male airsofters too... yes I'm in that category.

 

I wanted a mk4 in my collection & got one to wear in game too... damn thing weighs a tonne.

Out of the gear I have, the best/comfiest is an old DPM chest rig, the most uncomfortable is this UCP TAP vest( the layout is fine but the drag handle digs into the back of my neck due to ALL the weight being at the front, the DPM one is a better design but not adaptable with molle.

 

As above there are much better/tacticool chest rigs on the market, have you tried a belt kit/webbing?

[TheFull9]

The issue isn't you, the Osprey is just wank, literally nothing you can do to the vest, your gun or your stance to change that. I've probably fired a good few hundred rounds while wearing the Mk4 and it was always a contortion act of combative awkwardness. When it's stuffed with real armour it'll cover you well against artillery shrapnel and IED frag, which you care about in the relevant circumstances, problem is of course they aren't airsoft, and there's a reason cool SF blokes who jump out of helos in to room-clearing combat where every bit of speed and mobility count all wear American/American-influenced trimmed down plate carriers vs bulky mass issued armour.

 

My guess with the grey pad is that it's only intended to work in the prone, not sure why exactly, presumably just the result of troop trials, but it's simply far higher than you'd ever want to place the butt of your rifle when in any other shooting position.

 

There's a million and 1 different options for rigs, if we were all truly honest we'd say the most efficient of which is just a hi-cap in a pocket, but then all men would lose our form of fashion shopping and dressing up as a hobby. End of the day, if you're a small person, micro chest rigs and small belts are the best thing to go for; there are some specifically smaller plate carriers but they're not as common out in the market.

[Herrgh]

6 hours ago, Tackle said:

TBH everyone goes through the full plate carrier period, it's what's generally seen in the media in the various conflicts etc, but the truth is they're overkill for airsoft for so many reasons, & most players eventually see the light & switch to more suitable kit.

 

No, I will REFUSE to see the light, and I WILL wear twice my weight in armour. Nyeh.

 

 

It makes me feel... sexy.

(Here is an interesting article (A) from West Point about the weight a modern infantryman should or should not be expected to carry).

Edited 2 hours ago by Herrgh
Added archive link to article.

[Tackle]

2 hours ago, Chev Chelios said:

 If you also have big boobs its just not gonna work well

Tell me about it, I've got a fair pair on me 😉

2 hours ago, Chev Chelios said:

I would recommend a split front chest rig like the TT MAV or Flektarns rip off https://www.flecktarn.co.uk/sdtmb2nx.html it can be worn as a chest rig or belt kit and being a split front super easy to don and doff with huge amounts of adjustment.  Chuck some 7.62 pouches for your AK mags on and you should be good to go. 

Or maybe a nice bulle mle, I think there's a jolly nice chap selling a couple in the classifieds ATM 😉

https://airsoft-forums.uk/classifieds/item/64168-bulle-rigs-od/

8 minutes ago, TheFull9 said:

  End of the day, if you're a small person, micro chest rigs and small belts are the best thing.

Helikon TMR would definitely fit the bill👍

[Holly Wallace]

3 hours ago, Chev Chelios said:

As Tackle says plate bags are a bit naff and the osprey being not just plate bags but also designed to carry soft armour panels as well makes it super naff. If you also have big boobs its just not gonna work well.   

 

I would recommend a split front chest rig like the TT MAV or Flektarns rip off https://www.flecktarn.co.uk/sdtmb2nx.html it can be worn as a chest rig or belt kit and being a split front super easy to don and doff with huge amounts of adjustment.  Chuck some 7.62 pouches for your AK mags on and you should be good to go. 

 

Ref your AK, does it have a solid stock? If it does its worth looking at adjustable stocks so you can fit the LOP (length of pull) better to you. Another option if not a die hard AK head the MP5 is a favourite of my tiny 13 year old niece when combined with a good sling will run around happily all day with it. 

 

Re the AK, Yeah, It's a fixed 100 style. I've been looking for one of those stock adapters, Since unscrewing the whole rear end of the rifle's getting a liiiittle tiring at the start and end of each day :^)

Been eyeing a Galaxy MP5K, Since I heard they can reach like 310 fps? (for 50ish quid too!!) Would it work for mid-long range outdoor fields though?

1 hour ago, Herrgh said:

 

No, I will REFUSE to see the light, and I WILL wear twice my weight in armour. Nyeh.

 

 

It makes me feel... sexy.

(Here is an interesting article (A) from West Point about the weight a modern infantryman should or should not be expected to carry).

 

There is something incredibly fun and appealing about throwing myself around in unreasonably heavy gear. +intimidation if you wear big steel-capped boots in CQB rings! They may be able to hear me stomping towards 'em from 3 rooms away, But at least I wont stub my toes.

 

The 20+ degrees over here as of recent has made me reconsider. Just a bit.