New LRP unit in the U.S.

[twoninersavoy]

We are a relatively new historical reenactment unit (not airsoft) that is headquartered out of Houston, Texas with membership along the Gulf Coast in the United States. Our website is now up:

www.longrangepatrol.com

Our objective is to establish a physically-fit, authentic, *field unit* dedicated to proper patrol procedures, fire discipline and mission orientation. Our unit advisor is a former SF Camp Commander (I Corps) who served, 1969-70 and is providing detailed information on standard patrolling, NBD, and uniformity.

We will be working closely with the Vietnamese community in Houston, Texas (as we have for the past three years) by supporting their annual Vietnam Veterans Reunion, with a weapons and uniform display. One requirement for membership in our unit is that each member attend a wreath-laying ceremony to pay homage to U.S., ARVN and French veterans who fought against Communism (1945-1975) in Southeast Asia.

We are currently looking for era-correct M16/XM177E2's for displays (airsoft or replica) from those in the U.S. Any help would be gladly appreciated.

Regards.

[rat]

personally I would recommend the Marushin PFC replicas you dont necessarily have to have them firing, but they field strip etc as per the originals.

Like the sound of your unit, very professional.

[twoninersavoy]

rat,

Much appreciated.

We are in search of the Classic Army XM177E2's as well as a more acceptable replica through various U.S. suppliers; however most are "out of stock" as of this posting. The Marushin's we have searched for but have not found anyone carrying them.

Thanks for the comments about our standards. Professionalism is key to our unit's mission. We simply became tired of the booze-blanks-buffet reenacting that many of us had been part of for decades and wanted a more realistic approach to reenacting. We established fitness standards (we do not accept fat, overweight or obese candidates) which must be upheld by all new and current personnel. We also made it a requirement that all ranks attend a wreath-laying ceremony once a year to pay homage to our war dead. Those two unit standards have kept us at three (3) personnel for the past year; we will top out at six (6), standard for a patrol.

We simply can't budge on our standards - photos of reenactors across the U.S. and Canada (pick any era) and you'll find egregiously overweight hobbyists. We divorced ourselves from that and have struck out on our own. We've been blasted for our standards but we refuse to budge. Were not elite, we simply want more out of our weekend tactical battle reenactments instead of the usual BBQ and booze up that these events turn into.

Our group is independent and has no connection to any reenacting group in the United States or overseas. That way we have been able to choose who we want. However, we have great connections in the U.S. and ARVN veterans community and hope to maintain that for many years to come. To us, its about setting a proper goal of deportment, dress and fitness.

[john]

All sounds oddly familiar

[rat]

In which case i'd definately push the marushin XM kits as they are fully field strippable as per the real steels, can take real steel mags, etc etc and roughly the same price as an Airsoft one aswell.

[twoninersavoy]

rat,

Roger that.

Thats pretty much where were headed. The source for the CA XM177E2 has all but dried up. We'll take a look at the Marushin kits.

Many thanks for your help.

Mick