• Watch Out for Scammers!

    We've now added a color code for all accounts. Orange accounts are new members, Blue are full members, and Green are Supporters. If you get a message about a sale from an orange account, make sure you pay attention before sending any money!

  • Site updates coming next Wednesday at 8am CT!

    The site will be down for routine maintenance on Wednesday 6/5 starting at 8am CT. If you have any questions, please PM alexj-12!

Fieldcraft Camo Question for LEO Snipers

3bnRanger

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Aug 20, 2007
150
2
49
Cincinnati, Ohio
Gentlemen-
Our teams will be repainting our kit here shortly and I have been tasked to research whether there is a preferred camo pattern or color scheme that works superior for an urban environment. Please take into account the possibility of having to use this particular pattern or color scheme amonst residential landscaping as well. Thanks for your time and opinions.
 
Re: Camo Question for LEO Snipers

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 3bnRanger</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Gentlemen-
Our teams will be repainting our kit here shortly and I have been tasked to research whether there is a preferred camo pattern or color scheme that works superior for an urban environment. Please take into account the possibility of having to use this particular pattern or color scheme amonst residential landscaping as well. Thanks for your time and opinions. </div></div>

residential as in cinci or residential as in kabal?
 
Re: Camo Question for LEO Snipers

just cut up some black trash can liners and velcro some Hamms beer cans all over 'em....some Nike hi-tops....should be GTG.
 
Re: Camo Question for LEO Snipers

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dgunn</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 3bnRanger</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Gentlemen-
Our teams will be repainting our kit here shortly and I have been tasked to research whether there is a preferred camo pattern or color scheme that works superior for an urban environment. Please take into account the possibility of having to use this particular pattern or color scheme amonst residential landscaping as well. Thanks for your time and opinions. </div></div>

residential as in cinci or residential as in kabal? </div></div>

Kabal...over-the-rine....the same thing right?
 
Re: Camo Question for LEO Snipers

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BOLTRIPPER</div><div class="ubbcode-body">just cut up some black trash can liners and velcro some Hamms beer cans all over 'em....some Nike hi-tops....should be GTG. </div></div>

Very nice, hey that's been used before
wink.gif
 
Re: Camo Question for LEO Snipers

Where you are it depends on the season.
 
Re: Camo Question for LEO Snipers

Camo has a time and place. Are you painting kit because it looks cool or is it going to have a specific purpose? Not trying to be a smart ass, I just see too many LEO doing things just to do it. In the past we would wear black for Warrant Service and Woodland Camo for all other operations.... Though no one could explain why we did this. Ultimately this practice resulted in mixed matched uniforms during most operations.

A few years ago we switched to woodland digital and have been trying to get away from using any black gear. We found that majority of our operations had more need to be stealthy so we went stuck with a camo scheme. It only makes sense if you are trying to blend in that you don't carry a black weapon. To me it defeats the purpose of camo. So we paint our weapons for that reason and a few other reasons that tread into operation security so I will not discuss it on an open forum.

The thought behind the colors we use when we paint is just basic camouflage. We put a base of OD then break up with small amounts of tan and brown. As fo an urban setting I challenge anyone to find camo that works in an CONUS urban setting. There are simply too many possibilities. Stck with the worse case scenario when you only have concealment (doesn't stop projectiles) and work from there. In an urban enviroment you have a better chance of cover.
 
Re: Camo Question for LEO Snipers

Single color dark grey and olive (Ranger Green) still work remarkably well in urban areas. Rely on depth, not color.
 
Re: Camo Question for LEO Snipers

don't see the purpose in that arena. are your uniforms camo? what's the funtionality of having your rifle a different color than the uniform? didn't the 20 swat guys and apv on the front lawn already tip off the target that somethings going on?

chances are that if the target sees those 20 guys in black on the front lawn, they've seen enough "dallas swat" and other cop shows to realize there are 2 or 3 guys a block away with 700's and leopolds on them.
 
Re: Camo Question for LEO Snipers

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TOP PREDATOR</div><div class="ubbcode-body">don't see the purpose in that arena. are your uniforms camo? what's the funtionality of having your rifle a different color than the uniform? didn't the 20 swat guys and apv on the front lawn already tip off the target that somethings going on?

chances are that if the target sees those 20 guys in black on the front lawn, they've seen enough "dallas swat" and other cop shows to realize there are 2 or 3 guys a block away with 700's and leopolds on them.
</div></div>

You tend to forget that the LEO sniper is also utilized for observation purposes...not just observing his guys kick a door while sitting across the street.

CB is dead on. A fancy camo pattern isnt necessary.
 
Re: Camo Question for LEO Snipers

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TOP PREDATOR</div><div class="ubbcode-body">don't see the purpose in that arena. are your uniforms camo? what's the funtionality of having your rifle a different color than the uniform? didn't the 20 swat guys and apv on the front lawn already tip off the target that somethings going on?

chances are that if the target sees those 20 guys in black on the front lawn, <span style="color: #FFFF33">they've seen enough "dallas swat" and other cop shows to realize there are 2 or 3 guys a block away with 700's and leopolds on them.</span> </div></div>

Yup....but I don't want them looking back at me through a Leuppy. Our Sniper teams deploy in camo, currently we are using the 5.11 "woodland digital" pattern (that choice was made by admin so that's that). Our PSS's are painted with "practical preference". I was just inquiring as to whether there was something "new" ou there that I didn't know about. My belief is anything is better than black...sticks out like a sore thumb.
 
Re: Camo Question for LEO Snipers

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 3bnRanger</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TOP PREDATOR</div><div class="ubbcode-body">don't see the purpose in that arena. are your uniforms camo? what's the funtionality of having your rifle a different color than the uniform? didn't the 20 swat guys and apv on the front lawn already tip off the target that somethings going on?

chances are that if the target sees those 20 guys in black on the front lawn, <span style="color: #FFFF33">they've seen enough "dallas swat" and other cop shows to realize there are 2 or 3 guys a block away with 700's and leopolds on them.</span> </div></div>
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
<span style="color: #FF0000">Yup....but I don't want them looking back at me through a Leuppy</div></div>.</span> Our Sniper teams deploy in camo, currently we are using the 5.11 "woodland digital" pattern (that choice was made by admin so that's that). Our PSS's are painted with "practical preference". I was just inquiring as to whether there was something "new" ou there that I didn't know about. My belief is anything is better than black...sticks out like a sore thumb. </div></div>

you never know
cool.gif
 
Re: Camo Question for LEO Snipers

I guess I was doing it wrong, I wore my uniform and drove a patrol car. Never seen the use in pulling up, in a blue and white, dragging the rifle out of the trunk and putting on cammo coveralls.

Seems the patrol car would give me away.

Oh Well, I didnt shave my head and wear michael jackson gloves either.
 
Re: Camo Question for LEO Snipers

I went through a SWAT school a few years back at one of our neighboring county S.O. The Sheriff there is a former Force Recon Marine and is big shit in the tactical community in our state. He really knows his shit long story short. We did alot of movements in different areas at all hours of the day. What he said was best and what really was, was the old woodland cammies. When we took down the airport that was being held by "hostiles" you could see the guys really easy who was wearing solid collored uniforms. It didn't matter if they were in the shadows or not, they stuck out really bad. The digi stuff had just come out and wasn't available yet so I couldn't tell you how it would work but just on what I saw anything is beter than a solid color...
 
Re: Camo Question for LEO Snipers

Shooter and WS in blaze orange or pink. Sometimes being conspicuous is an effective use of an "LE sniper" in an urban setting to resolve a situation without a shot being fired.

Yes I have a bit of a hard on for our country handles SWAT and particularly SWAT "snipers". I was talking to a local yesterday on the subject. His dept has no money for a rifle, ammo, or classes, yet they want him to be a "sniper" for the department. He'll be self funded if he gets to go to a sniper training camp the Army is putting on here soon. I'm trying to help out on the ammo front for him.

A lack of funding on a per jurisdiction basis, jurisdiction overlap, and no consistent training across multiple departments that may be responding to the same situation is not a very effective way for a team to deal with a situation. Say what you want about France, but they have a nationalized SWAT program that provides uniform training, gear, and coordination for the whole country in the form of the Gendamerie Nationale Groupe D Intervention.
 
Re: Camo Question for LEO Snipers

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: NineHotel</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Say what you want about France, but they have a nationalized SWAT program that provides uniform training, gear, and coordination for the whole country in the form of the Gendamerie Nationale Groupe D Intervention.</div></div>What color do they wear?
laugh.gif
 
Re: Camo Question for LEO Snipers

Per their web site it appears they vary their color based on engagement and AO. Solid dark blue, dark grey, and black dominates the pics on their site with some earth colors camo thrown in.
 
Re: Camo Question for LEO Snipers

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Graham</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I take it they don't use white...
grin.gif
</div></div>
.
If ya mean them france boys...only in their battle flag!! Its solid white usually frantically waved in a back and forth motion.
 
Re: Camo Question for LEO Snipers

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cowboy_bravo</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> It only makes sense if you are trying to blend in that you don't carry a black weapon. To me it defeats the purpose of camo. So we paint our weapons for that reason and a few other reasons that tread into operation security so I will not discuss it on an open forum.
</div></div>

Black guns are brutal, a lot of the guys on our team have painted their AR's as it doesn't do you any good to be all camo'ed up and carry a black AR or bolt. During a grow we did this summer I moved up to an overwatch position while some of our team were sidehilling directly across the canyon from me. Since they were all cammied up the only thing that stuck out were the guys who hadn't painted their guns and a couple that also had black gloves. I could spot them easily. But the guys who had brown/green gloves and painted rifles were hard to pick out. Another problem we have is our cammies are a camo pattern but our heavy vests are OD green. So when we sneak around we are fairly concealed except for the dark green square chest/vests, which sticks out a little. Some of us (including me) have spraypainted our heavy vests to try to match our cammies and it helps a lot.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TOP PREDATOR</div><div class="ubbcode-body">don't see the purpose in that arena. are your uniforms camo? what's the funtionality of having your rifle a different color than the uniform? didn't the 20 swat guys and apv on the front lawn already tip off the target that somethings going on?

chances are that if the target sees those 20 guys in black on the front lawn, they've seen enough "dallas swat" and other cop shows to realize there are 2 or 3 guys a block away with 700's and leopolds on them.
</div></div>

A couple of guys addressed it already but from a perimeter standpoint there is also a need to be stealthy/concealed so you can put yourself in a position to have a shot. While the 20 guys in the armor on the front lawn are distracting the badguy (cause it's sexy)...if you are concealed you can move into a prime position to take the shot of opportunity that might not present itself if you are dressing up in standard black or whatever like the 20 entry guys. The point isn't to camo up to sit a block away, you don't have to camo up too much for that, the point is to camo up to move into position 25-75 yards out, as it makes those shots easier for guys like me who aren't super snipers
smile.gif
Perfect example was one of our sniper/spotter teams at training recently, they snuck to within 10-15 yards of a vehicle using some terrain and cover and were able to take a shot of opportunity that wouldn't have presented itself if the suspect had seen them. They would have been visible if not cammied up and concealed properly. So there is a definite reason for LEO swat personnel to camo up in all aspects, from guns to uniforms to gear.

But as far as an urban camo, I don't have a suggestion for you, as you can guess in my area we work in mostly rural settings.
 
Re: Camo Question for LEO Snipers

Our snipers, We have 4 with bolt guns and 2 with DMR weapons, use gillie's for woodland settings if they surrond the house or building, but honestly if there is no covering like that I see them using the veils or somthing sim. to mask their presence against a backdrop. Ive seen them split between trashcans, sit in opposing rooms across streets back from a window, or on top of buildings. I think you would be better off scouting locations where you have had callouts, and see what the terrain is.
 
Re: Camo Question for LEO Snipers

i vote dark ACU - its my favorite for all things urban. im gonna go back and read the thread now, but thats my vote.
 
Re: Camo Question for LEO Snipers

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 3bnRanger</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Gentlemen-
Our teams will be repainting our kit here shortly and I have been tasked to research whether there is a preferred camo pattern or color scheme that works superior for an urban environment. </div></div>

3486.jpg


works in the woods, rubble, dead lawns, etc.

How to: http://8541tactical.com/rifle%20painting.php
 
Re: Camo Question for LEO Snipers

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Graham</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Single color dark grey and olive (Ranger Green) still work remarkably well in urban areas. Rely on depth, not color. </div></div>

He hit it on the mark. DEPTH is a big deal in an urban environment. All you need to do is stick with light more grayish earthy shades. Space the shades out. Then finish with numerous small 1- 1/2 inch splotches of light tan. Up close these tan splotches will look funny but from a 20 feet and beyond it will add heaps of depth.
 
Re: Camo Question for LEO Snipers

Multicam is really tough to beat. Our team went through an extensive camo evaluation period last year and multicam came out on top by a pretty large margin.

The straw that broke the camel's back was one night (dusk) at training during a break and Team discussion. We had one guy in MC, one in Ranger Green and one in black, all standing next to each other at the far end of the group (just by chance). Our commander pipes up, "Wow! Look at that!" pointing at the three of them. The MC-clad guy was a virtual "smudge" to the eye while the other two looked like dark, man-shaped shadows. That was it, the order for MC went out the following week.

Of course the "Don't the 20 guys standing around negate any camo value?" argument always comes up. But I would argue that when the crackhead that's been up for 3 days looks out and starts randomly blasting, your ability to not stand out as a definitive silhouette might just matter in his scrambled up mind in that milli-second.
 
Re: Camo Question for LEO Snipers

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: He_Shoot _Me</div><div class="ubbcode-body">3bnR,

Here's a link to a thread here in the Hide that compared several different types of camo in different settings. If I remember correctly good ole Army ACU (ARPAT) seemed to do well in urban environments.

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthre...450#Post1375450

-Pat </div></div>

I does well in urban enviroments as long as you have a nice coating of dust on it. It's a roman-freaking-candle at night in the woods compared to woodland which comes in barely visible.

I have had great experience with the old subdued urban camo. Same conditions as with the ACUs, only I was right in front of two guys when I nonchalantly walked(they said snuck) up to them.

I'd say for me it's...

Subdued Urban Camo(go with what you know)
Navy digital pattern(keep an open mind, it's camo and maybe you're life that we're talking about)
And what was introduced to me as the USMC urban digital pattern(my favorite).

And as correctly said...Depth is a factor.

BTW...Don't make yourself a bush in a parking lot.
 
Re: Camo Question for LEO Snipers

Wow! Way to revive a Thread that is more than a year old.

What does '+1 on the multicam' really mean? Does it mean you use multicam to good effect in residential areas?

Dare I say it now, over a year later: That the OP should be able to be inconspicuous, and stalk, and sit in a FFP, without using camo.
 
Re: Camo Question for LEO Snipers

Nothing yells "incognetio" like leaning over the hood of a police car like being dressed like the swamp thing.
 
Re: Camo Question for LEO Snipers

Multi cam is the best one uniform fits all but MC woodland digital is a very close second and really can't be beat in any north American wooded setting.
 
Re: Camo Question for LEO Snipers

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: leprechaun</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Multi cam is the best one uniform fits all but MC woodland digital is a very close second and really can't be beat in any north American wooded setting. </div></div>Your punctuation is well camoflaged. It must be in multicam. Either that, or you've been reading Faulkner.
 
Re: Camo Question for LEO Snipers

It means multicam blends in well in an urban environment that will require camo to get to a FFP. It is not the ultimate urban work every time camo.
A pairs of jeans and a t shirt along with a musicians case will also work well depending on the setting.
And if you want to lean across the hood of a cruiser dressed like the swamp thing go ahead and make yourself a target.
 
Re: Camo Question for LEO Snipers

Urban 'anytime' camo? A Canali suit, a Marek tie and Bally shoes.

Only because I can't make the lapels on Armani work for me.
wink.gif
 
Re: Camo Question for LEO Snipers

If I wore that at anytime in our town, that would sure be a distraction lol!