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[BHunter83]

While stumbling around the "internets", I came across a post on Popular Airsoft about a new Brass Guard mask coming out:
(Video is subtitled in English, unless you understand Russian)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_ENdOqsyrY

It reminds me of a mesh version of the old Revision full face concept (MPAS)or the FAST helmet/ guard combos. An interesting evolution of their masks, which seem to be more available stateside with Airsoft Atlanta carrying them. This may have some good applications in CQB, much like their BAT and Stalker masks do now. Yet another alternative to the shemagh or neoprene for protecting ones teeth. Just curious if there is any interest in these new masks? And if perhaps this model, like the Praetorian, might be allowed for young bucks to use in CQB arenas rather than the cumbersome paintball masks. (I have a nephew who complains about having to wear a full face that doesn't allow him to aim down the sights.)

[Silent Wolfe]

Although not tested, as far as I know, I could see some problems arise out of these masks. I am going out on a limb to say these are probably made with similar materials to the mesh goggles. The only problem with that is that the goggles are dangerous. If used in CQB, the mesh will dent inward, sending mental and paint fragments into the user's nose/eye region. I could see this happening with these masks, except with the mouth region.

Again, I'm purely assuming here, but you won't find me on the field wearing one.

[the roob]

no, you are incorrect in your assumptions. the steel mesh is very strong, is cannot be dented even by  point blank bb shots.  I have one of their earlier models.  if you think a paintball mask with soft plastic or rubber sheilding will give you more protection you are kidding yourself.

the only possible danger is shards from busted bbs, which is a good reason not to use the goggles, but shards against you cheeks and lips is nothing. it's better than breaking teeth and welting faces. it also wont fog your goggles. (I use T800s along with the bg mask)

[Agent007]

If you were really worried about bb fragments coming in through the mask, you could always wear a balaclava underneath, although that might negate the benefits of this mask.

[MetallicaFatCat]

I beleive AA has some instock, though Russia+Safety=Hmmm.....though I doubt these are the case like some of the Russian Goverments products...

[JaridJohn]

Looks like an open air version of the armys new face shields

[godwin]

This is not "new".
China cloned this already.
24 USD inc. shipping worldwide in multicam: http://www.ebairsoft.com/strike-metal-mesh-half-face-mask-multicam-p-3642.html

I have this masks, good for CQB. Shattered BBs are rare and do no harm to your face. Its no eye-protection. Just for your mouth.

Good thing is the goggles doesnt fog up like with scarfs or plastic masks because the mesh lets the air escape.

It only works good with closed goggles like the bolle x1000. They are more comfortable to wear if connected to a helmet.

[BHunter83]

This is not "new".
China cloned this already.
24 USD inc. shipping worldwide in multicam: http://www.ebairsoft.com/strike-metal-mesh-half-face-mask-multicam-p-3642.html

I have this masks, good for CQB. Shattered BBs are rare and do no harm to your face. Its no eye-protection. Just for your mouth.

Good thing is the goggles doesnt fog up like with scarfs or plastic masks because the mesh lets the air escape.

It only works good with closed goggles like the bolle x1000. They are more comfortable to wear if connected to a helmet.

The mask you linked to is a clone of their BAT mask: http://www.airsoftatlanta.com/Brass_Guard_Bat_Mesh_Safety_Mask_airsoft_p/38787.htm

The BAT mask attaches to the top and back of the head and covers the mouth, nose and ears. This new mask seems to be longer and modeled after the FAST G series face shield and attaches directly to a helmet rather than to a person's head.

It seems like every mask they've manufactured has been cloned and so this new mask, "the Juggernaut", is their answer to those cloning companies, by patenting their product so they have the ability to sue. Steering this conversation back, i'm curious with all of these new mesh masks if worn with full seal goggles, if they can be substituted for a paintball mask at some sites for those under 18? My curiosity was sparked by a family member who loves playing airsoft, but hates his mask because of its limitations and the various complications because of it. He asked if he could wear something like their Praetorian or Bat masks with goggles, and if it would suffice as an alternative solution other than his bulky mask. This is a more hypothetical discussion that i might transfer to a different thread at some point, but thats what lead me to this particular find.

[JaridJohn]

This mask is not new.. but someone posted a thread a few months ago about them making a resin clone of a kevlar face shild that would attach to specific helmets. Its a replica of some new body armor that is being phased in or tested. I dont remember which.
I have seen mesh masks for awhile now.. but not like this. Maybe i just dont look hard enough.

[theangryschnoodle]

It's a replica of the MTek face sheild. http://www.mtekweaponsystems.com/ they make a training version that can be used for airsoft.

[JaridJohn]

THATS THE ONE!!!1!    lol  M3a Fast

[Silent Wolfe]

no, you are incorrect in your assumptions. the steel mesh is very strong, is cannot be dented even by  point blank bb shots.  I have one of their earlier models.  if you think a paintball mask with soft plastic or rubber sheilding will give you more protection you are kidding yourself.

the only possible danger is shards from busted bbs, which is a good reason not to use the goggles, but shards against you cheeks and lips is nothing. it's better than breaking teeth and welting faces. it also wont fog your goggles. (I use T800s along with the bg mask)

Alright, sounds about right.
Thank you for informing me (this is sincere and not sarcastic).
Haha, due to personal preference, however, I'll stick to my paintball mask.

[the roob]

The big draw back about any mask is going to be a crap cheek weld. I have gotten used to the mesh but it is slippery agaianst the plastic stock of an m4 - I think a piece of felt or mousepad on the stock would make a good spot to plant the mesh mask aganst

[DRK]

i personally like what they have done with this. realize as to a need why it was created. in russia they shoot at high speeds. 500 fps. do a mesh mask sounds more wise then bear skin or covering up with neoprene or a rag. i had a friend of mine email the company in russian. right away what i want to know is if they do custom painting on the mask. they have shown they can do multicam but i am looking to get a different print on my mask. hopefully they will offer that.

[MG42Madness]

I'd much rather get shot in the face by a BB going 450FPS, than half a BB going at 250FPS!
\

[Chaos_1.0]

http://www.airsoftatlanta.com/Brass_Guard_Stalker_Mesh_Safety_Mask_airsoft_p/38780.htm
This one I would think would fix the slickness against the stock. It has fabric. I may be getting one of these soon. They look like an excellent idea.

[EagleDriver]

i personally like what they have done with this. realize as to a need why it was created. in russia they shoot at high speeds. 500 fps. do a mesh mask sounds more wise then bear skin or covering up with neoprene or a rag. i had a friend of mine email the company in russian. right away what i want to know is if they do custom painting on the mask. they have shown they can do multicam but i am looking to get a different print on my mask. hopefully they will offer that.

They speak English, so you can e-mail them directly.  They won't do custom colors for individual masks, but will do a run if you have a large order.  I have sold lots of the Assassin mask for CQB, and order from them directly.  Note that if you do order from them directly, you have to buy the minimum quantity (from 5 to 40 depending on the mask) and then they ship EMS/Pochta Rossi (Russuan Post.)  That adds quite a lot to the cost.  Payment has to be wire transfer (in US Dollars) so you would also have to add the wire transfer fee for your bank.

[theangryschnoodle]

If I were buying a mesh lower mask I would probably go with the Bitter end lower face mask. A teammate has one and the only time we could get a BB to shatter and go through was with a crossman .12 going 612 FPS. We didn't test bio bbs though so that might have a different outcome. I have a pair of their goggles and they are great.

[the roob]

I've been playing airsoft about 6 years and Iplay with guys who use mesh goggles exclusively for years and heve never had a problem with bb shards.  For as much talk as I see about bbshards on this and other forums, you'd think this was a common occurence. But it isn't.  I think the bb shards warning was invented by someone selling paintball goggles who was afraid mesh masks would ruin his business.

the bitter end, brass guard and ebaybanned knockoff mesh masks are great masks to protect your good looks and expensive teeth on the field.

[Burke]

They just ruin the look of your loadout......but id rather have it ruin the look than ruin my teeth..

[BHunter83]

Update:

Well, not much of an update, but for those who don't know it seems that Evike.com has started carrying Brass Guard style clones:

http://www.airsoftpost.com/product_info.php?cPath=30_154&products_id=33217

http://www.airsoftpost.com/product_info.php?products_id=33671

Again, not necessarily news, but figure i'd throw it out there anyway. I'd like to try and steer this topic back toward the second part of my original post. To anyone who currently runs/refs fields, arenas, halls, events, etc. With these new mesh masks becoming available and offering full face-like protection, would you allow under 18's to use these kinds of masks in conjunction with full seal goggles as another option beside paintball masks? I figure it's an interesting argument and i was curious to see what everyone's opinions were toward the matter.

[vlade]

Has anyone wore these with Arena Flakjaks? I was wondering if the help protect the bridge of the nose. In my last cqb game, a bb shot me in the nose. It then traveled its way up into the goggle  

[Mattybeers]

Imn my last cqb game, a bb shot me in the nose. It then traveled its way up into the goggle 

Ha! That happened to me about 6 months ago. The BB actually just barely missed my eye inside the goggle, and left a nice mark on my nose. Between that instance, and several hits to the face that left some bloody welts, my wife actually got me one of the Stalker masks.   http://www.Airsoftatlanta.com/Brass_Guard_Stalker_Mesh_Safety_Mask_airsoft_p/38781.htm

I wear it with Revision Desert Locust, and it covers the bridge of my nose nicely, to the point that the only skin you could possibly hit would be my forehead. (In theory, as that is covered with a hat or such.) The goggles slide under the top of the part that protects your nose, and the seals sit behind the mask.

They just ruin the look of your loadout.....

Its really not that terrible, the straps get covered with my head covering of choice, so all you see is goggle straps and head covering, like normal, with the black mask below that. Its not as silly as a paintball mask, slimmer by far, and breathes MUCH better.

The big draw back about any mask is going to be a crap cheek weld.

Yea, it kinda does. It does have a bit of velcro B side on the lower portions, for the straps to attach to that helps. Its not as slippery as if you get the metal part against the stock.

Its not the split BB's that bother me, as this is not my eyes, and any the mesh is so tight, that there is NO way a whole BB would get through to my teeth. Hits to my lower face have already happened without wearing a mask, so IF flecks/shards were to get there, no big deal, but I seriously doubt it. I have shot it from point blank with my VSR that is 500+ FPS, and the worst that happened was a very slight deformation in the mesh. No shattering whatsoever. From normal MED, I would say your safe.

The only real problem with the mask, is getting access to water. For any kind of longer game, or hot weather, this is a drag. No matter how nice your water carrier, you get a crappy choice.
1. Pour your drink through the mesh. You get the fabric wet this way, witch is annoying. Especially in long games, it can rub you wrong. I am not sure what the fabric is, but when super wet, (not just a little sweat), it drives me crazy.
2. Slide it up to access your camelback/water bottle. It is basically impossible to do without knocking your goggles out of place.
3. Take it off, put it back on. Depending on how you have the straps, for this, and your goggles, and any head covering, have fun getting a quick sip.

The mask is absolutely great in shorter games, or cqb. I end up wearing it for all of my games now, to keep my wife/job happy with no more bloody face hits, but I really want to figure something out for the water situation.