Dear rifle Shooter,

We have tested jackets made out of several different plastic materials. Some have been similar to what other brands are using and some has been quit different.

We have succeeded in developing a material which fulfils the rules of the ISSF concerning both thickness and the required minimum ‘3.0mm’ stiffness. However, we will NOT put this material into production for the following reason.

Every experienced rifle shooter knows that canvas jackets have to be ‘broken in’ to form around the body and according to the individual shooting position. When canvas is broken in it behaves like when you bend the corner of a paper: It says in the broken position.

When the plastic material is bent it sways back instead of staying in the broken position. Our test shooters report that it feels like having a metal spring (or maybe a plastic spring?) between the shooters back and the wall behind the shooter. The plastic never find the final, correct position. As the shooter never is completely motionless the press from the ‘spring’ changes continuously and is never consistent. The movement never stops completely. The result is a hold which never comes to a stop.

Several well known world class shooters have tested different brands of plastic jackets the last years. The majority of these shooters seem to have gone back to canvas and fewer plastic jackets are now seen in international competitions than before. I have personally noticed this when comparing what the world’s best air rifle shooters used at the IWK matches in Munich in January 2009 and in January 2010.

We never sell a product which not is tested properly and accepted as good by several of our test shooters. That would have been both unfair and dishonest. For this reason none our test jackets has been sold or seen in any competition. 

We thank everyone who has showed interest in or helped us with this project. In the meantime most of the shooters and teams who have been interested in our plastic jacket have ordered canvas equipment in Xpert II model and we’re very grateful for your confidence. The conclusion is then that:

REAL CANVAS IS STILL THE BEST!

Good Shooting!

Kurt Thune