Military Surplus Stores

[SpookyPistolero]

Howdy folks,

I've been going nuts lately from withdrawal due to not being able to get to the woods. My brain has compensated by going nuts with gear collecting/organizing. I love doing things the cheap way though, and therefore need some milsurp gear! Alas, we had a store near town calls Stuff's that was pretty good, but I drove out there and found it to be closed down for good. So...

Anyone know of a good milltary surplus store in the central Kentucky area? I'd be willing to make a drive to get there. I'd get stuff online, but I'm having trouble finding some things that are 'just right', and really prefer to get this stuff in person.

Thanks for any help!

-Spooky

[Eleven Mike]

Try the internet?  I know half the fun of surplus hunting is the ambience, but what can you do? 

[Declaration Day]

I've bought surplus gear over the internet, but there's just something about that musty old canvas smell when you walk into a surplus store that the internet can't replace. 

[SpookyPistolero]

Haha, too true! I do love the dingy, dark aura in those places, plus no shipping costs. I guess I'll end up having to stick with the net. Oh well!

[Manedwolf]

What amuses me most about those stores is when major designer stores literally COPY the goods you can find in the surplus stores.

For example, Banana Republic had an exact replica of a grey Swiss wool army coat, right down to the buttons with the Swiss cross on them. $495.

A REAL one, made better, was $25 at a surplus store. 

M-65 field jackets are also found as copies in mall stores, at over $200, but they're generally cheap cotton/poly from China and not actual ripstop material. It amuses me to no end. Can dress in the latest military-derived styles, for pennies on the dollar, with the real thing...which is made better than the copies!

[wmenorr67]

Spooky, how close do you live to Ft Campbell or Ft Knox.  Either on of those places should have a couple of surplus stores in the area.

[roo_ster]

Ebay & similar sites have plenty of used, musty milsurp gear.  I was able to get a complete large ALICE rucksack (sack, frame, straps, etc) for ~$40 after all was said & done.  It arrived properly musty.

[Perd Hapley]

Yeah, but jfru, when you go into a whole store full of the stuff you get a lot of musty for free!  I do like going into those stores with a little bit of cash.  Very relaxing.

[Fudgieghost]

Reminds me of Bill Murray in "Stripes"---"chicks in Manhattan payin' top dollar for this stuff. . .!"

[SpookyPistolero]

I know exactly what you mean about the 'designer' milsurp style stuff! I went with my sister to the mall and saw all the $X00 jackets, etc. Very funny! I wear an East German parka to school everyday and people thought I was wearing something pricey.

Wmenorr67, I'm in Fayette county, so it would be a bit of a drive. I might have to just make a day trip out of it.

[charby]

Isn't US Calvary surplus based out of Fort Knox?

[wmenorr67]

I wouldn't classify US Cav as surplus.  They do sell a lot of military items but it is far from surplus.  But to answer the question, they are based in the Ft. Knox area and the have a store that is right outside the main gate of Ft. Campbell.  And when I say right out the main gate, I mean that if you don't turn right or left coming out of the gate you will wind up in the parking lot.