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Gas
Mask Buyer Tips:
Whether you purchase through us or someone else, here are a
few tips that may help you cut through all the marketing hype & get
right to the bottom line.
The truth about surplus masks: Many models of surplus masks & filters
are available in nearly unlimited quantities at low prices. In most
cases, these prices are low because the mask is
either obsolete, recalled or replaced due to design flaws or defective
components.
Before buying a surplus mask, do your homework, take time to review
recalled gas mask
models. Here are a few of the most widely advertised surplus masks that
should be avoided:
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Russian
Gas Mask
Unless you are assembling your
Halloween costume, avoid this ineffective mask. Although the
$19 price tag is
enticing, this mask is 30+ years old &
does NOT provide NBC protection.
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EVAC-U-8
Hood
Advertised by some unscrupulous
vendors for protection against NBC
agents, this mask is actually intended
for smoke/fire protection. Recall info
27,400+ have been recalled. MORE...
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Canadian
M69 C-3 & C-4
The entire Canadian military has
removed the C3 from service (replaced
by a completely different model,
the C4 - also defective) The C3 60mm
filter port does not accept NATO
threaded filters without plastic adapter.
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If
you own or intend to purchase one of these masks, YOU
WILL have NO protection against ANY form of attack.
They offer NO protection against: NBC -Nuclear, Biological, or
Chemical agents.
Many offer NO protection against even tear gas! Also old,(even
sealed) filters may become toxic
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MASK: Israeli
Military M15, Civilian Adult and Child
STATUS: EFFECTIVE only when
within expiration
DETAILS: The Israeli masks are actually the single
widest used model in the world and are highly effective
but only when certain criteria are met; the mask must
be within it's 20year lifespan (most are not), must have
the valves
and seals thoroughly inspected, and must be used with
a new, current production filter.
We occasionally obtain a shipment of brand new 2003
Israeli masks, which are the only Israeli masks that
should be trusted. |
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MASK: Canadian
C-4 Protective Mask (C-3 is even older)
STATUS: INEFFECTIVE 100% obsolete
DETAILS: Around 30K defective and rejected masks in
circulation, commonly found for sale on ebay, and
only defective
ones
have
been sold as surplus.
There were several problems plaguing
the production run but the most common is the wrong adhesive
was used to assemble
the voicemitters and valves. This results in the adhesive prematurely
drying out and the mask literally falling apart. These green-faced
masks are on eBay all the time being sold to unsuspecting bidders.
A serviceable, current-production, green-faced C4 is about
as difficult to
find as anything could be. And there are none that have been
legally released by the Canadian military. |
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MASK:
Russian/German M-10-M Protective Mask
STATUS: INEFFECTIVE 100% obsolete
DETAILS: Very old model. This type of protective mask should
NEVER be used for protecting against any NBC warfare agents.
USAGE: Designed ONLY for protection against tear-gas.
(These will most likely not provide this protection as they
are ALL more than 20 years expired) |
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MASK:
Russian M41 Aardvark Protective Mask
STATUS: INEFFECTIVE 100% obsolete
DETAILS: Complete waste of money. These Russian masks are a
triumph in the world of completely useless gas masks, possibly the
worst mask still being sold by unscrupulous surplus stores & internet
vendors.
USAGE: Russian / Outdated (over 20-30 years old) could be
used as a Halloween costume or conversation piece but it will provide
0% protection. |
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MASK:
Russian SMS Snorkel Protective Mask
STATUS: INEFFECTIVE 100% obsolete
DETAILS: Complete waste of money. These Russian masks are another
triumph in the world of completely useless gas masks, possibly the
worst mask still being sold by unscrupulous surplus stores & Internet
vendors.
USAGE: Russian/ Outdated (over 20-30 years old) could be
used as a Halloween costume or conversation piece but it will provide
0% protection. |
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MASK:
M9 or M9A1 Protective Masks
STATUS: OBSOLETE/ineffective (made in the
50's)
Details: Uses a 60 mm threaded filter which is very hard to
find with a modern & effective filter.
USAGE: Tear Gas, Not used since 1960’s, these will provide
NO protection, as they are 40+ years |
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FILTER:
WEST GERMAN (various model #’s)
STATUS: EXPIRED, HEPA ONLY.
DETAILS: This filter is rated at 99.9% HEPA filtration and prior
to expiration would be effective against P100 (small particles)
agents. Examples: Tear Gas, Unmodified Simple Anthrax & other other
non-micronized biological agents. Ineffective against ALL chemical
warfare agents.
USAGE: German mfg. for riot & tear gas protection. Manufactured
prior to 1980, all lots are EXPIRED. |
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FILTER:
AMERICAN M-9 (circa 1940) 60 mm threaded filter
STATUS: 100% EXPIRED
DETAILS: Common American issue. (Most from the 50's)
USAGE: US issue during prior to 1950. Use of this filter
is highly discouraged, it provides 0% protection and may be toxic
on it's own |
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FILTER:
AMERICAN C2 (check exp. date) & C2A1
STATUS: EXPIRED -If more than 10 years
old
** (old filters are known to have Chromium Toxicity
** and are considered highly dangerous)
DETAILS: To find out if your filter is expired, you must find
the printed date of manufacture. Look for the serial number on
the can: For Example: RFT 920000CF24054 (sample serial #) (first
2
digits are the year of manufacture) In this example the mfg date:
RFT [92] is 1992 These are 100% military surplus filters. The
military discontinued use of the C2 in favor of the new/better
C2A1 filters. But Caution: C2A1 filters
provide no protection
against ammonia based agents.
USAGE: Obsolete/US Military Surplus only. Recommended to
upgrade to a MSA or M95 filter(
the same threads/mask fitting). Both protect against all NBC agents
and are 100% current issue / used in federal agencies, etc.
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