Amen brothers… US Made all the way…!
I’m willing to pay more for US gear, not that you have to.
(BHI is the same price as most US made gear)
Guys, let me ask you a couple Qs here…Would you guys pay $250 for the case if it was made in the US? Do you think we would be able to sell a decent amount of 'em?
I have gone done this road on several occasions and it gets rather disheartening at times. On more than one occasion we have given a sample or two to companies stateside and ask them to re-quote and you would not believe the replies I have gotten back…
‘Sure, we can do this case for you but it’s gonna cost you an arm and a leg’ and they quote me a price that is far more than my current retail.
‘The case is do-able but I am afraid that we might not be able to match the quality’. - what???
“Why do you need to have all that trimmings and such? It’s too much work and you should save quite a bit by taking these out”.
“Hey man, I know I told you I could do the case just looking from the photos but now that I have it in front of me, I did not realize this had so much attention to details. If I quote you, this is gonna be a sticker shock”.
“Sure we can do it for a very good price.” Wink, wink, nudge, nudge. “Really? How are you able to do so?” And I see a room full of what appears to be rather questionable immigrant workers.
And it goes on and on and on. Most folks would have given up a long time ago but I have been doing product development since the 80s, and I just keep ploughing away. Maybe I will find a company that could do so without raising the final retail price too much and without compromising on the quality but until I do so, I am resigned to the fact that my cases will not meet everyone’s requirements nor satisfaction.
I would be more than happy to have all my SERT stuff produced stateside but there must be a balance between quality and price. That’s why I am having better luck with the new products because they are not so elaborate.
This case was a result of many folks from the High Road forum pouring in their ideas. When I realized that there was no way we could get this done locally, I had to look outside so as to keep the original design ideas intact.
I would not do business with China but a call I got back in the late 90s changed my mind about Vietnam. Someone I used to served with moved there and suggested I come check it out. Here I am thinking as to why I should after having spent so many years commanding (what you would consider) a LRRP company in the jungles of South East Asia with our primary concern being Communist infiltrators from the ‘North’. But curiosity got the better of me and I did.
I found a country where 70% of the population is below the age of 35 and none of 'em know much about the war; young folks who were eager to learn from us and take their nation into the next century. I saw more Capitalism there then I did Communism. And I found a New York vet who ran a factory who was willing to help me out.
I am not here to argue nor debate the semantics of doing business with a country like Vietnam but feel I always have to say something when this is brought up. So please do not get me wrong.
The past few years I have seen an increase in US involvement in that country and even the US Navy coming in for shore breaks. The icing on the cake was when the Viet PM came to DC and asked the President if he would consider sending military advisors because of a shared concern - China.
Even as I try to wrap up my business there so as to get things produced stateside, I sincerely feel a lot of folks out there are very unaware of what Vietnam is like these days. In a time where we are losing a number of so-called ‘friends’ the world over, we might just have found an old foe in a very strategic location who is ever changing and moving forward to work with the US.
My apologies for the diatribe guys but unlike other companies, I am always willing to stand-up and explain my actions whenever questions arise. And finally, no disrespect of any sort intended to my many, many Vietnam vet friends.
I own and sell these cases. They are first rate.
C4
Understood Sir, I still want one of your cases(I’m pro Vet more than anti Nam)
Keep up the great R&D.
Dave
Well I can honestly say that I think this case looks to be of the better quality imports, and I am in no way knocking your products, nor would I knock you and your tactics of business.
However, I do personally prefer US made, not because of any grudge held be myself about war/etc, but rather the fact that US made is generally better quality. Is it in this case? Well, that depends on what you’re comparing it to.
I will say that a number of guys on another forum have informed me that custom cases built to MY specs, can be had for just a little more $$ (under $200 apparently). This would be a custom built case, of the same caliber. (in other words, a case of about the same amount of materials and sizing…)
I’m currently looking into the situation…
I will also say that the Brownells case is only $100, as well as the Eagle cases too (I will say the 1SHOT cases probably beat the Eagle, not by quality, but it’s just a bigger case with more features…)
Regardless of where it’s made, I think a quality rifle case can be had for $100-$150 tops, NO MORE.
As with ANY line of work, you just have to find good help to produce a quality product (I’m a general contractor, so I have experience here as well)…
I just think it’s nice that we can have this discussion without anyone getting heated or offended…
Razorhunter
A case you might want to look at is from Ace Case made right here in “The Show Me State” They come in black and O.D. have 5 mag pockets,1 accessary pocket,carry strap and handles. Lots of padding,i have the 35" one and it carries my “M-4” with 16" barrel with sights or scope,tac light forward grip,mag in the weapon and even a bipod on it if i want with no problem.I have one and love it. here is the web site…
http://www.acecase.com/
Macon
Thanks Macon,
But I just looked at your link, and I think I’m looking for something a little bit more of a step up, above those Ace Cases.
I need MOLLE webbing everywhere, and mag pouches and pockets and carry straps/etc.
I realize the Ace Case (and other similar brands) get the job done, but I’m just looking for a “Cadillac” and not a Ford Taurus, know what I mean?
I just got off the phone with Eagle Industries, in regards to this M4 case they make:
http://www.eagleindustries.com/prd_detail.asp?ProdID=384&CatID=18&SubCatID=18
Now I haven’t seen the inside of this case, but I still wanted to inquire about it. This case is only 32" long, so it won’t work with a 16" M4 like I own.
I was inquiring because several guys on another forum, told me Eagle did a few custom orders for them, for longer cases (about 36" long).
Unfortunately, Eagle is so swamped with orders right now, they can’t take a custom order. They DID IN FACT produce a few custom, longer cases of this exact model, a while back, and would do so for anyone interested. However, as stated, they are too swamped right now, and cannot take my order for a custom length.
I think right now, my only real option is to look into the Brownells case shown here: http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/productdetail.aspx?p=22166&s=47927
However, this Brownells is not exactly what I need either. Guess I’m just too particular huh guys? Damn.
I’m still wondering WHAT exactly Kisara had to do to get that Eagle case he posted back on pg 1 of this thread… That was SWEET!
Oh well, guess I’ll look into the custom cases built by a few makers here in the US. I hear good things about them from another firearms forum…
All I can say is that the 36" Tan i-SHOT case I bought from Grant when they first came out is still like new.
Despite being carried a lot, through mud, over concrete, brush & stickers, soaking wet, and even scraped over nails protruding from the wooden tables at the range, often overloaded, it’s hard (after cleaning with some automotive carpet cleaner) to tell it from the newer tan 42" one I got fairly recently and have used far less.
A better quality soft case?, no one has made one yet.
No tears, no rips, the webbing is still totally intact despite heavy rifles and full mags, not one stitch has let go, even the velcro on the carry handle is still like new.
That’s why I have 3 of them, including the OD one in this thread.
Nice set-up Edwin. Where did the interior pouches come from?
From Lightfighter, they are Blackhawk’s Utility and NV pouches.
Here’s the outside pocket, with a mix of Eagle mag and Blackhawk Utility pouches.
Ok so my m4 with 16 bbl, and aimpoint mounted on carry handle will fit the 36" case? Are you guys’ cases tall enough for optics mounted on the carry handle?
Definitely not a problem.
This is my original 36" case with 14.5" HBAR/Phantom and TA31 mounted to the carry handle. And certainly room for 1.5 more inches of length.
So sweet! When i added my optics and battle grip, it no longer fit in my old case. Those I-shots are sweet. Im getting one.
Thanks for the pic
Amen, brother.
Thanks guys, it is much appreciated and now that Edwin is here, I can take a break 'cos he knows more about my cases than I do…probably owns more than I have in inventory 
Edwin, is it always good to hear from you, bro.
P.S. I forgot to inform you Edwin and the rest that we will start offering our cases with pouches from Specter Gear. These are well made and are well priced. I just placed an order for them last week.
Pistol mag pouches
Rifle mag pouches
Utility pouches
…etc.
Thanks.
Specter…Sweet…USA MADE pouches are the best choice!
P.S. Can’t wait to be the proud owner of an ISHOT case.
Gentlemen:
I am not sure where you have been getting some of this info on the Eagle Industries cases. The model RC-3223 looks just like the M4 case you are mentioning, but it accepts the 16" barrel.
If you are looking for a discreet case that is MOLLE compatible on the interior accessory compartment, look at the DC-CAR-15-LE. It is sized specifically for a 16" M4 carbine with enhanced stock.
Stay safe.
Ben
Ben,
Not to detract from iShot, but you guys are first rate! I ordered some gear from your company today and you customer service is top notch.
Thanks,
Steve Grasso
Those Specter pouches look sweet indeed.
I would like to ask those who have the knowledge, if anyone here has used the Eagle pouches?
I am trying to determine if I should order Specter OR Eagle brand mag pouches…? I figure one probably can’t go wrong with either, but maybe there will be a detail or two about them, which will help sway my decision???
As always, thanks guys…