I served 16 years in the Army and the Army national guard. You cannot go wrong with this sleeping system. Like blackie described it is a very versatile system that will keep you warm in all regions of the country. To get a civilian sleeping bag comparable you're going to pay probably 3 times or more than what a surplus MSS cost.
I would appreciate if anyone that owns one of these systems that they feel is warm sub-zero, or new or like new to please measure the loft. Lay the bags out flat, give them a day or two to loft, then push a ruler up to the side and see how thick it is. I think alot of these bags have been stored compressed for a decade or more and the loft will not recover from long term compressed storage. I appreciate this kept our soldiers warm when it was newly issued. I just don't think we are getting as warm of a bag via military surplus. I bought one of these systems last year, military surplus, in excellent condition. The seller had it for a couple years and stored it in a large duffle bag. That was good storage for the past couple years but no telling how it was stored for the 10 years prior to that. I think when people buy milsurp from larger distributers the bags are all compressed. Compressed is fine for short term but not for years. I measured my mss system (black bag inside the green bag) at 4.5-5" thick (aka loft). I have two 20 degree down bags; one lofts 5" and one lofts 6" and each weigh 2lbs. I slept in the MSS bags(no bivy) in a tent low 30F a couple weeks ago. I wore two light-medium base layers. I was plenty warm all night. I am sure the system as I have it is good for lower temps maybe down to 15-20 degrees, but no way down to -50F. I slept in the lighter green bag in my house in light wool pants and top(64 degrees) and I was warm, not too hot. So maybe this bag is a good summer bag down to 50F. The green bag is very flat, very little loft. Again, if you have an MSS system with more loft I'd love to hear about it. Right now it's hard to justify a ~9lb 20degree bag. The Goretex Bivy is great. That's where the value is for me in this. I will likely pair the bivy with one of my down bags. In the winter I use one of my 20 degree bags but I wear a down jacket and down pants inside and i've been very warm in that setup down to -15F.
I have several of these systems and keep one in each truck year round. I have slept in sub zero weather several times with just what you call the black bag, mine are green. I have never used a bivey as they are just for outside with no protection. The inner bag I use in the summer and as a blanket while watching TV. It is also a great pillow stuffed in a pillow case or t-shirt. I bought my first back in the 70’s after almost freezing to death in West Virginia deer hunting. I bought several a few years back at a government auction and still have several spare pieces even after giving away a few. I actually get the most use out of the inner bag and have several extras if you would like me to send you one or two. In fact I have one covering me in bed right now. Just send me a message with the address to send it to. It has to be really cold for me to sleep in the main (black) bag zipped up I am usually in a hammock and just use it as a top quilt. Enjoy all of the new year, Ron
I have couple of M- 1949 mountain bags and at least one Arctic shell to mate with one of them .You have to be careful about the zippers. My first bag I bought new back in the 70's in the plastic had a brass zipper(good).I no longer have it. My recent used ones I bought off eBay had aluminum zippers (bad), I'm going to have them replaced with ones similar to my new 70's ECWS zippers, and get some gortex shells, for car camping only. These will cover all of my needs down to Arctic conditions in different combinations.Too much is better than not enough,espically in extreme cold weather. I will always have my M-1949 and my ECWS( extremely rugged bag). I'll probably get buried in them along with my black powder percussion Colts. Never know what's waiting on the other side. Wishing you safe travels for you and yours.
Thanks Blackie Yes I remember the old narrow foot sleeping bags we had in the Army And I always felt that to turn over I had to roll the whole bag. See you in Feb.
I am in charlotte North Carolina and rarely use more than the green bag. Generally, I carry the green and black bags, I put the green inside the black but only zip the green and use the black zipped up only if it get really, really chilly. Thanks Blackie! Great input!!
yes sir look in my list at the percussion revolver series i cover take down/ deburr /how to sight in/load building../and some common questions..take a look if you find a question i didnt answer i will be happy to shoot a vid to cover it for ya..
Hello everyone I'm in eastern Kentucky and last winter it was 14 degrees F and i used my MMSS in my hammock with a Therm-a-rest trail scout sleeping pad and a home made under quilt "14 dollar Walmart sleeping bag" i had a thermometer in my pocket and it read 75 degrees i was nice and toastie... i love my MMSS
Thanks for sharing Blackie. I have the MSS sleeping bags but I use a different Bivvy cover that has a big net and a pole to keep the Bivvy fabric up off of your face. Love the system
I love my MSS use it on wilderness canoe trips late Aug. And early Sept. In MN. Rig a tarp so if it's raining I can get in and out without getting the sleeping bag wet. So with Gortex bivy I stay warm and dry.
Just found you via YT recommendations. I’ve used my MSS for 4 years now. Little heavy but I absolutely love it. Keep complete system together year round. Store without compression sack inside sea line ILBE sack. Keep bivy in a separate SNUGPAK dry bag. Run ILBE gen 2 ruck. I’m in Oregon woods, so it’s rain 8 months a year. This system has been bulletproof year round. Subd. D😎🇺🇸
Its Feb. 6, 2021 Just found your channel in a suggested video. Im from Alabama also great video i love my mss used it for years still the same one i was issued.
I'm a 69 yr old bird that still sleeps on the ground . Of course I it's because my nephew and his wife still invites me to go with them. Love it when kids get raised right and grow up with a desire to help their old Aunt.
use all 3 bags as my winter emergency bag in the truck. minnesota. known to be colder than siberia & summer antarctic temps. an can get just as hot as your place.
It’s difficult for me to find a bag that is wide enough. I’m 6’1” and wear a 56 coat. Wide shoulders and a big belly too hahahahaha. These are adequate. I found a north face mammoth bag that also works well. When I use my hammock in cold weather I use the snugpak hammock cocoon. Keep up the good work and always enjoy watching your videos.
glad you enjoy the vids..my day was the same way..he would be in a clothing dept and would say..i found the boys sizes..now do you have a men's...(meaning over 6'4 and 275 pounds..lol)..the military make a casuality evac bag its huge it might work for ya
They do make and XL version of the MSS, i saw them on a military surplus site one time when i was lookin to purchase a couple sleep systems. I'm sure they're harder to find, but they do exist. Good luck to you.
Gortex seams on those peal off in a year of constant use. I switched to canvas bedroll two wool blankets and a silk liner with a reflect tarp for -10 . My experience.
I'm like you Blackie. I have the gortex bivey but need the black bag. I have a M 1949 Down army, and a old Ozark mummy I've been using with the bivey. But the narrow foot is uncomfortable. I generally have to leave mine unzipped. Or use woobie as top quilt...ugh
personally I really like the green and black bags never had to use them together but here in Ga. (like in bama) it just don't get that cold . I find that I prefer the Dutch Army Hooped bivi bag with the green bag and a bag liner, if ground pounding in the warmer months , because of the built in sketter net.
Great sleeping system. The patrol bag alone is worth it. All I need now is the cover. I’ve used the patrol bag into the upper 30 degree range. Good video😊
Read a book called "Nam" several, several years ago and there was an anecdote by a Marine at Khe Sanh during Tet. He said that they had a lot of FNG"S coming in due to casualties and they would bivouac in buildings at night to help with security. The only problem was the rats were as big as some dogs, and so plentiful in the buildings that they would hunt and scavenge for food at night. So the personnel would crawl in their bags and cover themselves from head to toe to keep from getting attacked while they slept. So this new guy comes in and it's as it was in the Nam, hot. He couldn't take the heat with the bag over his head so he pulled his head out and fell asleep. At around 0200 they heard screams coming from his area and they went to check it out. He had half of his face gone. He had been there a little over 24 hrs.
i have heard of such things..i know a marine who was in the pacific in ww2..and spoke of them sleeping on a beach and a saltwater crock got a corporal..another spoke of being in vietnam at night on a high ridge and a tiger got a army nco out of his fighting position
@@BLACKIETHOMAS I had a friend who was a fighter pilot in the Pacific in WW2. He was a black man with a very light color skin, and he grew up wanting to get wings. So when he enlisted in the AF he was asked what he wanted to be and he immediately said a pilot. He was out on a support mission and was shot down near an island that had a very small refueling base. He landed and was told to go down to the tents and find one to sleep in. when he got there they had placed them on platforms about 5 ft up from the ground. He found out that at night the crocs would come in and sleep under the tents due to the warmth. So the next morning he awoke at 5am to the sound of massive gunfire. At breakfast he asked what it was about and they told him that before they left their tents they went out with their sidearms and shot a mag to scare the crocs out from under the tents. And people complain because they lose power for an hour once or twice a year. (ROLL EYES HERE).
Great video, as always! I used this bag a lot when I was stationed in Alaska. Blackie, what charges do you recommend for 44 cal. navy Colts in brass and in steel frame? Also, at what point do you have to add a filler charge of cream of wheat to be able to compress the charge? Thanks a lot, really enjoy your vids!
👍👍 I have used that sleep system for many many years, it’s a good system, much better than what the Army use to use! Great for up here in the Pacific North West! When sleeping on the ground when raining I will crawl in my bag and zip it up to my armpits then I will put my gore Tex coat on backwards to cover my face. I can still shoot my rifle and keep the rain off my face, and maybe get some sleep!
I served 16 years in the Army and the Army national guard. You cannot go wrong with this sleeping system. Like blackie described it is a very versatile system that will keep you warm in all regions of the country. To get a civilian sleeping bag comparable you're going to pay probably 3 times or more than what a surplus MSS cost.
Corporal from CorporalsCorner sent me. I look forward to watching all your content.
Those temp ratings are for survivability, not comfort
I would appreciate if anyone that owns one of these systems that they feel is warm sub-zero, or new or like new to please measure the loft. Lay the bags out flat, give them a day or two to loft, then push a ruler up to the side and see how thick it is. I think alot of these bags have been stored compressed for a decade or more and the loft will not recover from long term compressed storage. I appreciate this kept our soldiers warm when it was newly issued. I just don't think we are getting as warm of a bag via military surplus. I bought one of these systems last year, military surplus, in excellent condition. The seller had it for a couple years and stored it in a large duffle bag. That was good storage for the past couple years but no telling how it was stored for the 10 years prior to that. I think when people buy milsurp from larger distributers the bags are all compressed. Compressed is fine for short term but not for years. I measured my mss system (black bag inside the green bag) at 4.5-5" thick (aka loft). I have two 20 degree down bags; one lofts 5" and one lofts 6" and each weigh 2lbs. I slept in the MSS bags(no bivy) in a tent low 30F a couple weeks ago. I wore two light-medium base layers. I was plenty warm all night. I am sure the system as I have it is good for lower temps maybe down to 15-20 degrees, but no way down to -50F. I slept in the lighter green bag in my house in light wool pants and top(64 degrees) and I was warm, not too hot. So maybe this bag is a good summer bag down to 50F. The green bag is very flat, very little loft. Again, if you have an MSS system with more loft I'd love to hear about it. Right now it's hard to justify a ~9lb 20degree bag. The Goretex Bivy is great. That's where the value is for me in this. I will likely pair the bivy with one of my down bags. In the winter I use one of my 20 degree bags but I wear a down jacket and down pants inside and i've been very warm in that setup down to -15F.
I have several of these systems and keep one in each truck year round. I have slept in sub zero weather several times with just what you call the black bag, mine are green. I have never used a bivey as they are just for outside with no protection. The inner bag I use in the summer and as a blanket while watching TV. It is also a great pillow stuffed in a pillow case or t-shirt. I bought my first back in the 70’s after almost freezing to death in West Virginia deer hunting. I bought several a few years back at a government auction and still have several spare pieces even after giving away a few. I actually get the most use out of the inner bag and have several extras if you would like me to send you one or two. In fact I have one covering me in bed right now. Just send me a message with the address to send it to. It has to be really cold for me to sleep in the main (black) bag zipped up I am usually in a hammock and just use it as a top quilt. Enjoy all of the new year, Ron
Hauling that thing all over the desert, from fob to fob wasn't fun but waking up covered in snow in Germany made it worth it. Infantry approved!
I have couple of M- 1949 mountain bags and at least one Arctic shell to mate with one of them .You have to be careful about the zippers. My first bag I bought new back in the 70's in the plastic had a brass zipper(good).I no longer have it. My recent used ones I bought off eBay had aluminum zippers (bad), I'm going to have them replaced with ones similar to my new 70's ECWS zippers, and get some gortex shells, for car camping only. These will cover all of my needs down to Arctic conditions in different combinations.Too much is better than not enough,espically in extreme cold weather. I will always have my M-1949 and my ECWS( extremely rugged bag). I'll probably get buried in them along with my black powder percussion Colts. Never know what's waiting on the other side. Wishing you safe travels for you and yours.
i took a bag to a seamstress a few yrs ago and had a brass zipper added big improvement
Thanks Blackie Yes I remember the old narrow foot sleeping bags we had in the Army And I always felt that to turn over I had to roll the whole bag. See you in Feb.
I am in charlotte North Carolina and rarely use more than the green bag. Generally, I carry the green and black bags, I put the green inside the black but only zip the green and use the black zipped up only if it get really, really chilly. Thanks Blackie! Great input!!
any tutorials on firing that percussion revolver? Tips/Tricks and speed loading Etc
yes sir look in my list at the percussion revolver series i cover take down/ deburr /how to sight in/load building../and some common questions..take a look if you find a question i didnt answer i will be happy to shoot a vid to cover it for ya..
Hello everyone I'm in eastern Kentucky and last winter it was 14 degrees F and i used my MMSS in my hammock with a Therm-a-rest trail scout sleeping pad and a home made under quilt "14 dollar Walmart sleeping bag" i had a thermometer in my pocket and it read 75 degrees i was nice and toastie... i love my MMSS
Thanks for sharing Blackie. I have the MSS sleeping bags but I use a different Bivvy cover that has a big net and a pole to keep the Bivvy fabric up off of your face. Love the system
I love my MSS use it on wilderness canoe trips late Aug. And early Sept. In MN. Rig a tarp so if it's raining I can get in and out without getting the sleeping bag wet. So with Gortex bivy I stay warm and dry.
they are very good wet weather bags
i use the black bag for over quilt in my hammock works pretty good
Good explanation of the modular sleep system. Thanks Blackie!
Just found you via YT recommendations. I’ve used my MSS for 4 years now. Little heavy but I absolutely love it. Keep complete system together year round. Store without compression sack inside sea line ILBE sack. Keep bivy in a separate SNUGPAK dry bag. Run ILBE gen 2 ruck. I’m in Oregon woods, so it’s rain 8 months a year. This system has been bulletproof year round. Subd. D😎🇺🇸
Welcome aboard! and your correct its my go to in wet conditions heavy yes but bomb-proof
@@BLACKIETHOMAS gracias brother. Been binging your content. All legit. Real deal. D😎🇺🇸
Its Feb. 6, 2021 Just found your channel in a suggested video. Im from Alabama also great video i love my mss used it for years still the same one i was issued.
I'm a 69 yr old bird that still sleeps on the ground . Of course I it's because my nephew and his wife still invites me to go with them. Love it when kids get raised right and grow up with a desire to help their old Aunt.
awesome safe journeys to you
Thanks for the review Blackie. Just bought the bivy cover and will most likely add the patrol bag next.
Hope you enjoy it! mine has served me well
Thank you for the video Blackie. Very interesting. Safe jurneys, Have a Great day Blackie.
use all 3 bags as my winter emergency bag in the truck. minnesota. known to be colder than siberia & summer antarctic temps. an can get just as hot as your place.
It’s difficult for me to find a bag that is wide enough. I’m 6’1” and wear a 56 coat. Wide shoulders and a big belly too hahahahaha. These are adequate. I found a north face mammoth bag that also works well. When I use my hammock in cold weather I use the snugpak hammock cocoon. Keep up the good work and always enjoy watching your videos.
glad you enjoy the vids..my day was the same way..he would be in a clothing dept and would say..i found the boys sizes..now do you have a men's...(meaning over 6'4 and 275 pounds..lol)..the military make a casuality evac bag its huge it might work for ya
They do make and XL version of the MSS, i saw them on a military surplus site one time when i was lookin to purchase a couple sleep systems. I'm sure they're harder to find, but they do exist. Good luck to you.
Very good, Thank you very much
Have an mss myself. Best money spent. A little heavy but worth it. Definitely with it here in Alaska!!
I appreciate the video brother! As you know, I am in the market for one! See you at Frozen Foot!
I'm pretty sure if you sent that north face bag back to them they'll repair that busted zipper for you. Great review and keep up the great work.
Cool video, just picked up 2 of these 1949 bags for 5 dollars a piece
Gortex seams on those peal off in a year of constant use. I switched to canvas bedroll two wool blankets and a silk liner with a reflect tarp for -10 . My experience.
true..the system that works for you is the right system..safe journeys
I'm like you Blackie. I have the gortex bivey but need the black bag. I have a M 1949 Down army, and a old Ozark mummy I've been using with the bivey. But the narrow foot is uncomfortable. I generally have to leave mine unzipped. Or use woobie as top quilt...ugh
Blackie, thanks for sharing !
personally I really like the green and black bags never had to use them together but here in Ga. (like in bama) it just don't get that cold . I find that I prefer the Dutch Army Hooped bivi bag with the green bag and a bag liner, if ground pounding in the warmer months , because of the built in sketter net.
Looks like a solid setup. Take care.
Great sleeping system. The patrol bag alone is worth it. All I need now is the cover. I’ve used the patrol bag into the upper 30 degree range. Good video😊
Right on
BLACKIE THOMAS I did gasp when I saw the price of the cover.🤨
Thank you
Read a book called "Nam" several, several years ago and there was an anecdote by a Marine at Khe Sanh during Tet. He said that they had a lot of FNG"S coming in due to casualties and they would bivouac in buildings at night to help with security. The only problem was the rats were as big as some dogs, and so plentiful in the buildings that they would hunt and scavenge for food at night. So the personnel would crawl in their bags and cover themselves from head to toe to keep from getting attacked while they slept. So this new guy comes in and it's as it was in the Nam, hot. He couldn't take the heat with the bag over his head so he pulled his head out and fell asleep. At around 0200 they heard screams coming from his area and they went to check it out. He had half of his face gone. He had been there a little over 24 hrs.
i have heard of such things..i know a marine who was in the pacific in ww2..and spoke of them sleeping on a beach and a saltwater crock got a corporal..another spoke of being in vietnam at night on a high ridge and a tiger got a army nco out of his fighting position
@@BLACKIETHOMAS I had a friend who was a fighter pilot in the Pacific in WW2. He was a black man with a very light color skin, and he grew up wanting to get wings. So when he enlisted in the AF he was asked what he wanted to be and he immediately said a pilot. He was out on a support mission and was shot down near an island that had a very small refueling base. He landed and was told to go down to the tents and find one to sleep in. when he got there they had placed them on platforms about 5 ft up from the ground. He found out that at night the crocs would come in and sleep under the tents due to the warmth. So the next morning he awoke at 5am to the sound of massive gunfire. At breakfast he asked what it was about and they told him that before they left their tents they went out with their sidearms and shot a mag to scare the crocs out from under the tents. And people complain because they lose power for an hour once or twice a year. (ROLL EYES HERE).
I just got a new set for $199 at cheeper than dirt.
I got a mss.. great system.. i love mine.. glad you said the bivi and a woobie.. killer man killer.
They say gortex only last 5 years. Should I waterproof a bivvy from 1996? It looks brand new.
Great video, as always! I used this bag a lot when I was stationed in Alaska. Blackie, what charges do you recommend for 44 cal. navy Colts in brass and in steel frame? Also, at what point do you have to add a filler charge of cream of wheat to be able to compress the charge? Thanks a lot, really enjoy your vids!
Yeah we called them the ol mommy bags
No USGI tucked behind my van seat
Thanks for the review, nice job. Where do you find a system like this, thanks?
i got mine from a local military surplus place..kaufmans military surplus samson alabama
334-898-1770..they had the sets not long ago for $150 i think
BLACKIE THOMAS Thanks!
Is the one from Sportsmen Guide any good?
I've had one for awhile and works fine. Went thru spring snow with green bag and bivy. Was plenty warm.
Sportsman Guide brand is not as good as the USGI.
👍👍 I have used that sleep system for many many years, it’s a good system, much better than what the Army use to use! Great for up here in the Pacific North West!
When sleeping on the ground when raining I will crawl in my bag and zip it up to my armpits then I will put my gore Tex coat on backwards to cover my face. I can still shoot my rifle and keep the rain off my face, and maybe get some sleep!
shared
Wear can I buy this black at my surplus dont carry them
334- 898 1770 kaufmans military surplus samson alabama they will ship tell them blackie sent ya and they should hand pic you a good one
They're all over ebay
So you live in LA huh
First off Blackie, get it right; its the modular sleep system, not military sleep system.
Thanks for explaining the sleep system. I was looking at it at last Thursday. I'm not confused any longer.