Retrofitting an All Star System 7

[MadMax]

On 4/16/2025 at 4:51 PM, AtlUmp said:

I'm looking at needing to do this for mine before the rivets completely rust away.

Due to the number of rivets that the System7 (aka CPU4000) takes (I think @grayhawk reported 44?), please make sure that you get either aluminum or stainless steel Chicago Screws (aka post closures, or binding post screws) when ordering, in bulk. When buying individually from an Ace Hardware or Menards (neither the Orange nor the Royal Blue big boxes carry these), these get pricey. 

On 4/22/2025 at 1:40 PM, AtlUmp said:

Based on the Ump-Attire measuring guide, I should be looking at a 17 or 18 inch chest protector.

<sarcasm> Pffft. What does a guide know? </sarcasm> 

Anyway, yes! Several CPs on the market now include an attachable extension, notably the All-Star Cobalt and the Davis DX -family (Enduro, et. al.). Where I would be concerned is width. Most CPs, while offering different lengths, are at a fixed width. This comes into play especially at the neck. In my experiences, only 3 CPs made allowances for varying the width while not compromising on protection integrity – the Wilson/Douglas WestVest Tri-panel, the Wilson WestVest Platinum (it took modifying to do so), and a model from Cooper (of all places) called "The Ump". 

Now, while I could vary the width with those three, I could also adjust the neck opening width on the already-broad Schutt-Adams family of CP (the AirFlex I & II, and XV). I can show photos if you wish. The reason I'm bringing this up, is that @DerekGDS based his DX design on input that several of us were giving him (such as @wolfe_man and others), and I had noted that the Schutt-Adams XV is "a bit too wide" across the chest. I was a career-long Schutt owner, up until Derek introduced the DX Enduro. The point is, the XV is still an excellent CP, especially since it, too, uses D3O. Not only that, but it also has a 4" extension included on it (I never wore it, based on plate stance). Perhaps you'd like to give it a try?

I will tell you this... the XV was the ideal CP for "southern climates", not only due to its aerated carapace plates (rife with 10mm holes! Looks like a cheese grater!), but also the presence of D3O, which is hydrophobic (sheds water near-instantly). Since you're down in Hot'lanta, this might be a consideration! 

[grayhawk]

7 minutes ago, MadMax said:

Due to the number of rivets that the System7 (aka CPU4000) takes (I think @grayhawk reported 44?), please make sure that you get either aluminum or stainless steel Chicago Screws (aka post closures, or binding post screws) when ordering, in bulk. When buying individually from an Ace Hardware or Menards (neither the Orange nor the Royal Blue big boxes carry these), these get pricey. 

And, you also have to buy varying lengths. I can't remember the length of all of them, but there were 3 different lengths I had to buy to cover the whole CP. It's kind of a trial and error thing and I ended up returning a couple of orders from Amazon. Thread glue was also necessary. The first couple of times I wore it, I had some screws come out so I went back and used Loctite in the red bottle.

[MadMax]

17 minutes ago, grayhawk said:

I went back and used Loctite in the red bottle.

Tsk, not Loctite Blue? (baddum bum ching! 🥁)

Seriously… Red is high-strength permanent.  Orange (new!) is high-strength, but hand-tool removable. Blue is medium-strength, removable. Green is medium-strength, wicking (intended to be dabbed into already-fastened fasteners). Purple is… well… pathetic. 

Ha! Take that Vikings & Northwestern fans! 

[AtlUmp]

Maybe I should change my username since I've recently moved out of Georgia to northern Virginia.

Unfortunately, none of the local stores that I talked to carry them in a size smaller than a #8 thread which is too large a diameter. I've ordered a sample of 6mm, 8mm, and 10mm lengths of M4 OD 5MM based on rough thickness measurements to see which fit best in the different locations and then will stock up what I need from there. My understanding is Grayhawk used 44 after removing the gap protector, the full count as is would be 48.

I did pick up the one Jonnycat was selling so the plan is to test the lengths with that one and fix the gap protector that popped out of the flexible strap before taking my gamer out of commission for a full clean/repair. My day job is data analytics so by the end of this I will have a full list of what lengths are needed where if anybody wants it, I just can't help but make spreadsheets anytime I'm planning projects.

I'll probably order the Enduro DX in the fall to take a look at it and the new mask pads in person to see how it fit/feels on me but not in a rush when I currently already love what I have.

[ump7tony]

On 4/25/2025 at 11:10 AM, MadMax said:

Due to the number of rivets that the System7 (aka CPU4000) takes (I think @grayhawk reported 44?), please make sure that you get either aluminum or stainless steel Chicago Screws (aka post closures, or binding post screws) when ordering, in bulk. When buying individually from an Ace Hardware or Menards (neither the Orange nor the Royal Blue big boxes carry these), these get pricey. 

<sarcasm> Pffft. What does a guide know? </sarcasm> 

Anyway, yes! Several CPs on the market now include an attachable extension, notably the All-Star Cobalt and the Davis DX -family (Enduro, et. al.). Where I would be concerned is width. Most CPs, while offering different lengths, are at a fixed width. This comes into play especially at the neck. In my experiences, only 3 CPs made allowances for varying the width while not compromising on protection integrity – the Wilson/Douglas WestVest Tri-panel, the Wilson WestVest Platinum (it took modifying to do so), and a model from Cooper (of all places) called "The Ump". 

Now, while I could vary the width with those three, I could also adjust the neck opening width on the already-broad Schutt-Adams family of CP (the AirFlex I & II, and XV). I can show photos if you wish. The reason I'm bringing this up, is that @DerekGDS based his DX design on input that several of us were giving him (such as @wolfe_man and others), and I had noted that the Schutt-Adams XV is "a bit too wide" across the chest. I was a career-long Schutt owner, up until Derek introduced the DX Enduro. The point is, the XV is still an excellent CP, especially since it, too, uses D3O. Not only that, but it also has a 4" extension included on it (I never wore it, based on plate stance). Perhaps you'd like to give it a try?

I will tell you this... the XV was the ideal CP for "southern climates", not only due to its aerated carapace plates (rife with 10mm holes! Looks like a cheese grater!), but also the presence of D3O, which is hydrophobic (sheds water near-instantly). Since you're down in Hot'lanta, this might be a consideration! 

@MadMax I've been using the Adams XV for several years. Like it a lot, but I'd really like to get the Schutt version having the D30 pad. Any possibility that you would sell or trade yours now the you're a Davis user?