Dark Earth is the new black rifle

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BergisheLandSaint11

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Anybody notice the fancy people have been taking to this?

Its a nice color...but its slowly becoming a cult following.

But heres the real issue...does it help hide the rifle better than black in combat, or is it less effective?

Someones got to know, because even under the right conditions i.e. fall, my desert camo hides me well among the leaves and things...better than my black tac-suit and OD green BDUS
 
My AR15 has FDE furniture, simply because I like the look of it more than black. If you're really worried about blending in somewhere, you can just hit your rifle with krylon.
 
My AR has FDE furniture too. I originally didn't want it.. but I got a great deal on a used rifle with it.. and it has definitely grown on me. Camo really isn't too much about color (to a point) it is about breaking up the pattern, so I think the black receivers and FDE helps.

However, like stated above... you will find most guys that are truly concerned about blending in such as Scout Snipers and what not... take spray paint to their guns, and use a lot of natural foliage as patterns.
 
The dark earth I guess varies by manufacturer. Kinda interesting...I wish I had the money to field test everything.

What is Krylon?

To be honest...Ive never much liked the Digital Camo...Not sure why it just doesnt seem to be as effective as my Desert Storm BDUS

Wouldnt mind some old german FLECKTARN at all. Ive tried looking for military surplus but Am only finding cheap remakes
 
Flecktarn is an amazing pattern in my opinion. As far as Krylon its a spray paint brand I'm guessing they want you just to hit a few places on the weapon to break up the lines a bit. It works, also attach foliage as long as it doesn't interfere with the action or your sight picture. It doesn't take a lot to break up your pattern and that's the key.
 
I'm hoping santa is bringing Flat Dark Earth handguard, stock, grip , and mags for my AR.
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I like the look better than all solid.
 
But heres the real issue...does it help hide the rifle better than black in combat, or is it less effective?
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While black is a good color to hide an object from view especially when combined wtih concealment such as foliage, it is a spectrum extreme color. This means it works best in a limited number of situations.

Less extreme earth tones such as dark earth are more versatile in more situations. They blend better with their environment than would an extreme color, unless the environment is the extreme color.
 
Personal choice, works better in the desert amoung the sand, not so well in urban areas where you want to hide in the shadows. You don't see many SWAT teams using it or camo for their weapons.

But like I said it is personal choice.

Jim

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SWAT isn't operating so much on a combat scale for camo might make a difference.

When SWAT rolls... they are usually strictly offensive... breaching doors, kicking doors, storming in, using flash bangs, shields ect.

I have tons of respect for someone kicking open a door to a hornets nest that is for sure, but obviously camo like Jim pointed out is almost useless to them.

There is no 1 camo for everything.. is key feature is to break up a pattern, but it also must blend in to the surroundings. FDE is nice for the desert.. but also breaks up nicely in the rock quarries and PA hardwoods where I hail from.

On a side note.. I was invited a few times to watch some SWAT and SF guys run kill houses, as well as shoot through one myself... I still can't comprehend how they do that with nerves of steel.
 
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I just like the color

It does break up the monotony of black.

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My other AR wears OD green furniture.
 

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On a interesting side note, the British RAF now paints most of their trainer aircraft black.

Why? Because when one goes down, black is the easiest color for the human eye to spot against the widest variety of backgrounds. It basically provides a high level of contrast against almost all natural backgrounds.
 
Well it's more than likely because of the colors offered they don't want black and OD green just if Fugly IMO. There is a Urban Dark Earth kit by larue that looks pretty nice also. I wanted a multi color pattern without having to paint or anything and as said above i like dark earth.

Honestly though i think i've seen more plain black rifles. Also have to take into account i own another AR thats Black.
 
I think you see more black, just because thats how most of them come. Im kind of amazed that the military takes them in black, as much as it stands out.

Personally, I dont really care, as I just pant them how I want them. If you use the gun in any capacity other than than target shooting (even then if you like it :) ), it makes a big difference, and its not just AR's. Ive been painting my guns since the 60's, and basically just following family tradition in doing so. Most anything I hunt with has been painted.
 
I have always like "German Dot" camoflauge. Never knew the proper name was "Flecktarn." Learned something new today. Cool.
 
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