I ended up just getting 2 m40s, the parts are fairly easy to come by, they both still work perfectly, and i was able to get surplus spectacle inserts for much cheaper then the avon ones. As long as a mask is in working condition and does what it's supposed to do I don't see the need for preppers or your a erase citizen to spend so much in the newest mask available.
All a matter of choice. The M40 is certainly a viable option when more recently manufactured. Watch out on spare parts, though. I’ve seen a fair number of bad head harnesses that tore or came apart very easily. Bad strap buckles on masks, too.
I have a question though. If you just want to wear it in a normal environment you have to have the filters on or it’ll seal and you can’t breath right? Do you have a dummy filter you can put on it that looks like a filter but is just go keep the air intake open. Like an empty shell without the filter in it
You are correct. If the inlet valves system is working correctly on an M50, it will not work without a filter in place. The filter in place is what opens the valve. The only way you can use it without filters is if one of the valves is stuck open. But then the mask would be considered a ‘no-go’. I have not seen any ‘blanks’. Suggest using old filters for practice, at least one.
Yes. I wouldn’t rely on any open filters if I was in an emergency. But for practice and getting used to the equipment and how it works, they are okay. The M50 is designed to work correctly with 1 or 2 filters in place. If only one is installed, the valve without the filter must stay closed and sealed.
There’s at least one major problem with that, unfortunately. The C50 has seen most of its use with first responders or police in the US, along with the masks of the M50 series in the military as well. The problem is that current US law is that the export of gas masks and related tech to overseas locations is forbidden. So, the usual places one would try like eBay or Facebook marketplace are out - US sellers have these masks, but can’t export them. Avon is an international company, though. So I would think there would be some on the secondary marketplaces over there perhaps? What are the laws like where you are? It has cut down my own personal selling. I can import masks from anywhere that will sell them - I’ve gotten stuff from Russia no problem. But I can’t sell there… any readers have any European buying secrets to share?
Hi, how long are these masks good for? I have a C50 bought new in 2011 but was never used. Does anything start to deteriorate with the materials of the mask itself?
In general, the guideline the US military uses is a twenty year shelf life from the date of manufacture. That’s assuming everything else is in good condition. That doesn’t mean it’s fine at 19 years 364 days, and no good at 20 years 1 day. But it likely would be relegated to training or non lethal only use at that age. It’s only a guideline, but rubber materials can be weakened or deformed over time. If it’s in good shape, you should be set for a while stile. Let me know if you have any more questions. Thanks.
I don’t deny M50 prices have come down, especially as it has been in service for a while now, freeing up older masks to go on sale. The filter elements would concern me if it is going to be someone’s only mask for survival/prep, though. They are still not nearly as readily available as 40mm ones. While it seems there are a lot of cheap M50 filters on eBay, check the expiration dates - most of them are very old now. Recent filters are hard to come, simply because they are still in first line military use. It’s still a nice mask. But not my first choice for a ‘one and only’.
Hey Anthony I just have a quick question. Do your M61 filters leak a slight amount of activated charcoal? I discovered mine does when I found a bit of charcoal dust on the self sealing valve disks. I contacted Avon and they said it was normal for the M61 filters to do this, but I was just wondering if I could find other accounts of this happening.
@@domp5014 So far, and I can’t say I’ve seen it, either. I’ve only used a couple of different filter sets with my M50, though, in the couple years I have had it.
@@mjames70 interesting. I’ve gone through 3 sets of m61 filters and I have experienced slight charcoal leakage in all of them. I’ve only come across one person saying theirs did the same as well, however I haven’t heard other accounts on this occurrence. But thanks for sharing
@@domp5014 Interesting. I’ll ask around when I have a chance. Maybe it is certain production lots that might have that issue. I have a number of sealed sets still, but I’m saving in date sealed ones for potential actual use, if needed! I just haven’t seen it in the sets I have opened, though.
Good vid 👍
Thanks. I tried something a little different from most of my videos this time. I can say I learned some stuff, even if the video was kind of rough.
I ended up just getting 2 m40s, the parts are fairly easy to come by, they both still work perfectly, and i was able to get surplus spectacle inserts for much cheaper then the avon ones. As long as a mask is in working condition and does what it's supposed to do I don't see the need for preppers or your a erase citizen to spend so much in the newest mask available.
All a matter of choice. The M40 is certainly a viable option when more recently manufactured. Watch out on spare parts, though. I’ve seen a fair number of bad head harnesses that tore or came apart very easily. Bad strap buckles on masks, too.
I have a question though. If you just want to wear it in a normal environment you have to have the filters on or it’ll seal and you can’t breath right? Do you have a dummy filter you can put on it that looks like a filter but is just go keep the air intake open. Like an empty shell without the filter in it
You are correct. If the inlet valves system is working correctly on an M50, it will not work without a filter in place. The filter in place is what opens the valve. The only way you can use it without filters is if one of the valves is stuck open. But then the mask would be considered a ‘no-go’. I have not seen any ‘blanks’. Suggest using old filters for practice, at least one.
@@mjames70 the filters don’t get clogged up they just won’t be as effective?
Yes. I wouldn’t rely on any open filters if I was in an emergency. But for practice and getting used to the equipment and how it works, they are okay. The M50 is designed to work correctly with 1 or 2 filters in place. If only one is installed, the valve without the filter must stay closed and sealed.
One question where can i get this mask in Europe???
There’s at least one major problem with that, unfortunately. The C50 has seen most of its use with first responders or police in the US, along with the masks of the M50 series in the military as well. The problem is that current US law is that the export of gas masks and related tech to overseas locations is forbidden. So, the usual places one would try like eBay or Facebook marketplace are out - US sellers have these masks, but can’t export them. Avon is an international company, though. So I would think there would be some on the secondary marketplaces over there perhaps? What are the laws like where you are? It has cut down my own personal selling. I can import masks from anywhere that will sell them - I’ve gotten stuff from Russia no problem. But I can’t sell there… any readers have any European buying secrets to share?
Hi, how long are these masks good for? I have a C50 bought new in 2011 but was never used. Does anything start to deteriorate with the materials of the mask itself?
In general, the guideline the US military uses is a twenty year shelf life from the date of manufacture. That’s assuming everything else is in good condition.
That doesn’t mean it’s fine at 19 years 364 days, and no good at 20 years 1 day. But it likely would be relegated to training or non lethal only use at that age. It’s only a guideline, but rubber materials can be weakened or deformed over time. If it’s in good shape, you should be set for a while stile. Let me know if you have any more questions. Thanks.
I just got a M50 on eBay for 200$
I don’t deny M50 prices have come down, especially as it has been in service for a while now, freeing up older masks to go on sale. The filter elements would concern me if it is going to be someone’s only mask for survival/prep, though. They are still not nearly as readily available as 40mm ones. While it seems there are a lot of cheap M50 filters on eBay, check the expiration dates - most of them are very old now. Recent filters are hard to come, simply because they are still in first line military use. It’s still a nice mask. But not my first choice for a ‘one and only’.
Hey Anthony I just have a quick question. Do your M61 filters leak a slight amount of activated charcoal? I discovered mine does when I found a bit of charcoal dust on the self sealing valve disks. I contacted Avon and they said it was normal for the M61 filters to do this, but I was just wondering if I could find other accounts of this happening.
@@domp5014 So far, and I can’t say I’ve seen it, either. I’ve only used a couple of different filter sets with my M50, though, in the couple years I have had it.
@@mjames70 interesting. I’ve gone through 3 sets of m61 filters and I have experienced slight charcoal leakage in all of them. I’ve only come across one person saying theirs did the same as well, however I haven’t heard other accounts on this occurrence. But thanks for sharing
@@domp5014 Interesting. I’ll ask around when I have a chance. Maybe it is certain production lots that might have that issue. I have a number of sealed sets still, but I’m saving in date sealed ones for potential actual use, if needed! I just haven’t seen it in the sets I have opened, though.