Any of you guys have experience with MSA-ACH/MICH style helmets vs. the RBR style “gunfighter” (cut down) helmets?
Is one significantly lighter or more ‘user friendly’ than the other?
Gunfighter style helmets are lighter and allow for hearing protection. ACH is not too bad, but you still feel like you are wearing a helmet, and it wears you out if you wear it all day. You can still squeeze some head phones under them.
I have been using the new Ops-Core ballistic helmet and it is amazing. Feels like a skate board helmet on your head. Very expensive though. It is not just a Gunfighter helmet with extra stuff thrown on, but rather totally made by Ops-Core. You do give up some side protection though, but they have ballistic shields that you can add it needed.
Helmets, like most kit are mission dependent. If you need to wear NVGs, Ops-Core is my favorite. But, the ACH is still a good brain bucket.
NON MILITARY
Will that little thing actually stop a rifle round from dry humping your brain? It does look like a tan painted skater helmet or something… I can’t imagine it offering more than “fall and bump” protection! God bless you, and I sure hope they are made of Supermans clothing and stop rifle hits… but it really looks so light and thin it’s hard to imagine!
Amazing if it will!
PS - It looks as if your Mazda has subwoofers mounted in the side windows! Do you “get jiggy with it” while your out on patrol? 
It is rated NIJ lllA and is advertised to be the same as the ACH, but does not have the same amount of coverage. None of the helmets discussed here are really made to stop rifle rounds. 9mm FMJ under 1450 fps will be stopped.
Oh, and those are gun ports
We are required to wear ballistic helmets. If we get hurt, we won’t get any DBA financial help for our wounds, and our widows won’t get any money.
I didn’t see any ballistic shields on their website???
But sumbitch!!! That is one expensive lid!!
El Mac,
I have run both (RBR and MSA). Stick with the MICH and thank me later....not the end all, be all....but much better than anything RBR makes.
Ops Core also makes an upgraded chin / nape strap and padding system for the MICH....it's on my short list......I'll drop you a line after it comes in.
S/F,
Jeff
My only thought on it after talking with another dude that uses the RBR is the weight savings. I’ve since learned that RBR uses (or at least used to use) the old style crappy suspension system as opposed to the pads. That would have to be replaced.
Downside to the MSA MICH I’ve used was the rock hard pads that felt like - well, rocks. I’ve since learned that Oregon Aero makes a nicer pad system to replace the factory MSA crap along with a better harness system.
Ops makes a nice alternative harness system as well for the standard MICH.
Now I find out that MSA also makes a shorter “gunfighter” version of its MICH similar in appearance to the RBR Mach II.
I hate helmets. I hate helmets that ‘hurt’ even worse.
I can’t believe with the technology out there that SOMEONE can’t get this shit right.
IIRC the mid cut “Gunfighter” and High cut style helmets, were originally MSA/Gallet designs. So they are available from them, albeit limited.
RBR, makes the same style cuts now, but may not have the same ballistic package/rating, impact rating, etc. They use an older style suspension, also.
I’m issued an RBR F6 MKII, which is closer to the old K-pot(PASGT) cut. We replace the suspension with an Gentex pad system and chinstrap. It works OK, and we can fit peltors underneath them, but a lot of guys want skateboard helmets, we wont get into that, except to say, If I gotta buckle a chinstrap, I want protection from more then a bump on my head. Otherwise I’ll just wear a PC.
OPS-Core also makes their head loc system for the RBR helmets.
I’m currently researching helmets, and I would look into the ballistics and impact rating, then try and get the cut you want. It maybe that RBR will work out.
Bob
Iraq Ninja has given some VERY GOOD advice re. helmets.
For most folks, the MSA MICH/ACH with Oregon Aero pads and Ops-Core suspension offers a good balance of protection and mobility. If you are doing a lot of dynamic movement and NVG use, the new Ops-Core helmets are outstanding!
I had a RBR in Afghanistan beacuse we were not issued the MICH I liked it, it was better than that other fucking thing that killed my skull. It was light and the suspension system was good. They gave me a good discount to I think 3 or 4 of us bought them.
I got a MICH off ebay before IRAQ and It was like night and day its a model with the higher cut sides. If its cold out and you take it off your head the pads will freze solid and it hurts to put it back on. But I likes the fact that it didnt restrick my field of view when I was in the prone.
The older MICH’s came with the superb Oregon Aero pads; the new MSA ACH’s come with the dismal “sponge” like pads better suited for feminine hygiene… I switched out the pads on my new ACH to the Oregon Aero’s and was good to go.
Same here. Those Aero pads are just right. I couldn’t run with my Howard Leights until I put those things in.
I hated those ‘motorcycle helmet’ pads; too hard, lots of hot spots, and they didn’t absorb sweat, which is a big deal when you have an idiot 1stSgt who’d prefer that you have sweat running into your eyes than have you look other than milspec if somebody sees you wearing a bandanna or skullcap underneath to absorb sweat. I also had to get an XL helmet (I usually wear a M) to accommodate the right pads to make the pot stick to my head, so it stuck out really far, and I looked like one of those turtle things from the Mario Brothers games.
I need to get one of the Ops-Core systems with the X-nape, and I’d be interested is what they’re doing in regard to a retrofit pad setup for a MICH
I switched my pads to SkyDex, and like them. Havent got to use them much though.
Been using the Ops core X strap for awhile, and do like that also.
Bob
Of these, what is the difference? Besides the harness system and pads which are easily replaced and upgraded?:
http://www.greygrouptraining.biz/MSA_ACH_2002_GunFighter_Cut_p/ach%20tc-2002.htm
http://www.rbrtactical.com/n/site_prod.php?product=9
Unfortunately, RBR doesn’t list a price…kinda hard to compare.
if you wanted to replace the harness system on the RBR helmet with the ops-core harness, you might have to drill new holes lower down. the rear strap attach points on the RBR look like they’re located much higher than that on the MSA MICH/ACH series. even though the ops-core site says it’s compatible, it might not be an optimal setup. i had to do that on my gentex TBH, which had higher holes. the H-nape harness wouldn’t fit properly as the cross strap was too high, and not wide enough. the X-nape worked, but it needed longer straps. i eventually relocated the holes. the gentex holes used smaller hardware, too and had to be opened up. not sure about the RBR, but they don’t look as large as the ballistic screws used on the MICH and ops-core hardware.
MM, ops core make a strap specifically for the LtWHt helmet, and says it will fit the RBR.
Searching the site, I found a fit chart, and they list the RBR combat helmet F6 MKIII. After e-mailing them, they told me you had to specify it in the comments section ads it not an option in the drop down thingie. Its the LWH.
She also told me, the new ops-core Occ dial liner would only fit if the hole pattern was the same, which it obviously is not.
I was gonna order one for my issued RBR helmet, but in the last few day, work has really come down on using anything not issued, better or not. Right after that, I got a box from DBT, that, along with the other stuff, means I now have a few hundred dollars worth of ACU stuff I can’t use, so I’m gonna put it on hold for now.
Bob
bob, thanks for the updated info.
mm,
Have you done any comparisons on ballistic helmets?
MSA ACH. I paid for one out of my own pocket, rather than wear the issue RBR helmet. It is WAAAYYY more comfortable.