Anyone picked up one of the Mayflower quad mag shingles yet? I’m curious about them. I’m certainly no gear maker, so maybe the following questions are of no consequence at all.
It says it’s 500D. I thought I used to see gear was made with 1000D? Maybe it was only certain pieces and I just never realized it. What is the difference? Just the thickness? I’d figure for a mag pouch you’d want it to be the heavier material. The pouches I was issued when I was deployed actually rubbed through where the corners of the mags were.
If you look at the pic, does it look like it’s not sewn fully from top to bottom between the mags? It almost looks like it’s only sewn where they added the two pals pieces across the front. Maybe that’s just how I’m seeing it in the pic though. Here is a link to the pouch I’m talking about.
I have the Mayflower Quad Magazine Shingle in Ranger Green. It is made with a lighter weight fabric than other manufacturers use, the shingle is very well made. The shingle has an outer cover with each Magazine pouch lined with additional fabric, creating an individually divided pouch. This lining is only on the upper two thirds of each pouch, leaving the bottom third unlined. I can see where with hard use each magazine could wear through the bottom, especially if you wear it on a chest rig and do a lot of low crawling, on my shinggle each Magazine is starting to imprint on the bottom. The sewing is first rate, with stress points securely sewn. Overall I’m very happy with this piece of equipment and do not regret buying it.
There has been a lot of conjecture as to whether or not 500D Cordura is up to the task for use on individual equipment, particularly armor carriers. When I spoke with Mayflower Research and Consulting about this issue, they were able to provide me with these images of an Low-Profile Assault Armor Carrier, an early modded UW GEN I Chest Rig, and Assaulter Back Panel worn in Iraq for the past six months by an Assaulter. If that isn’t a rough environment, I don’t know what is. As you can see, the kit is stained with weapon oil but overall is none the worse for wear. The vest only came back for the addition of the new ITW Quick Attach Surface Mount buckles as well as new custom shoulder pads.
My opinion? You are going to get a you money’s worth out of kit manufactured from 500D. It might just be a bit less expensive than 1000D and will certainly be lighterweight. The purveyor of Mayflower once asked me if I had ever had any kit wear out before you replaced it for a newer design. I answered that since we switched to Cordura from the old ALICE days I have not. And I think that answer says volumes on the subject.
Mayflower is a tier one gear manufacturer. Voodoo isn’t in the same league in terms of design, materials, and quality. It depends if you are a tier one customer or not.
I think Voodoo is still made in China. That is not always a bad thing, but it depends on who makes it and what they make it out of. The stuff is not bad for range use, but I am very picky about Chinese manufactured kit that I would trust my life with.
The Voodoo stuff I saw was similar to 5.11 and LA Police Gear- low end Chinese nylon stuff…
I don’t see anywhere where it says the country it was made in. But you’re probably right. It’s good enough for my purposes though. I’m not a camel riding bad ass. I’m a desk jockey who shoots a gun on the weekends.
How does the Mayfield connect? The Voodoo just has 2 straps on the back that s shut.
In an environment where less and less “stuff” is being manufactured in the US, given the opportunity I will support American owned and operated companies both personally and professionally. Mayflower is one of those companies. If I need a widget and they make an applicable option I will buy from them.
I am also of the opinion that if you are going to buy tactical gear, buy the good stuff. If you ever need to sell it you will get more out of it. If you keep it forever, at least you know it will last.
