Mad Max MFP uniform: AbbyShot jacket review

[MFP 2020]

First of all, let me say thanks for this forum and its members. I was feeling a little...different for being in my mid-40s and wanting to go "play dress-up" in the desert at the Road Warrior Weekend Event. But I did it and had a great time, and now maybe I'll finally put together the Deckard costume I've always wanted. And now, the review.


Did you ever just want to hug a jacket?

When I first saw “Mad Max” in 1980, I was blown away. I’d never been a car guy but MM made me at least appreciate the beauty of a muscle car. (I was always a bike guy and MM was a delicious smorgasbord.) But what I really fell in love with was the MFP uniform. Highway cops in black leather? That was one of the most inspired costuming choices I’d ever seen in a movie.

As you know, we’ve had to wait forever (OK, almost 30 years) to have accurate replica clothing available. And yeah, I’m 44 years old now, but ******—I deserve to have my MFP uniform! Word on the Mad Max Movies forum was that the AbbyShot jacket was not only the most accurate replica available, but also a nice jacket for everyday wear. I was scheduled to attend the Road Warrior Weekend Event 2009 and wanted to “represent” with the other MFP officers, so I dutifully saved my allowance and ordered a jacket.

I provided my measurements when I placed my order for an XL jacket; the next day I received an email from AbbyShot. Based on my measurements, they recommended a large, so that’s what I ordered. The package was delayed in Customs so it took longer than the three days I expected, but when it arrived, it was like Christmas. I slowly opened the box, took out the jacket, and put it on. It’s a good thing my wife was at work, because I actually cackled with glee. The fit and finish are excellent. The leather is smooth and supple, requiring no break-in, and gives off that pleasing aroma. The fit was very good around the chest, but a little snug around my biceps. The lining is quilted and very warm, which is bad news for me as I live in Southern California. I started to sweat almost immediately. (Maybe I was just overexcited.)

Now the critique. The replica is longer than the movie jacket. I’m not looking for “movie poster midriff-baring length,” but it falls lower than Max’s movie jacket (which ends right about at the bottom of his belt). Custom sizing is an option, but you would need to wait for AbbyShot to order another batch from their factory.

The jacket is flared at the bottom, not fitted, so it’s not snug enough around the waist, and using the adjustment tabs makes the excess leather stick out on the sides. I’m not sure why the jacket is constructed this way, as the movie jackets are obviously tapered to the waist—maybe to fit the widest range of customer waistlines? Shortly after I received my jacket, I took it to a local shop and had them take in the waist and replace the quilted lining with a lightweight mesh, which added another 25% to the cost of the jacket. I wish I hadn’t had to do that, but I’m a stickler for accuracy (and comfort), and it was worth it in the end.

Here's the jacket with mesh lining:

Below is a picture of the finished uniform, with AbbyShot bronze badge and marksmanship pin, and custom MFP number plate (the AbbyShot version is too generic and not SA). The tapered waist really seals the deal. Completing the uniform: South Beach Leather pants (see separate review), Sportsman’s Guide 14" engineer boots, Magnolia Leatherworks (Etsy) custom shotgun holster, Motobiker (eBay) gloves, Wal*Mart T-shirt. Not visible: S&W handcuffs and 1.75" black leather garrison belt. I may add a billy club later.

The Road Warrior Event was a huge success, and AbbyShot replicas were definitely a big part of that. (It was so ungodly cold at night in the high desert that I almost wished I hadn’t taken the quilted lining out of my jacket, but the whole outfit was perfect during the day, temperature-wise, and looks amazing.)

Suggestions for AbbyShot: Offer options for mesh or thin polyester lining, tapered waist, and sewn-on leather tab with grommets for the AbbyShot badge (maybe for the number plate, too).

So am I happy with my purchase? Absolutely. If AbbyShot were just to taper the jacket, they would have a perfect replica.

 

[punctated]

You look great. If there was a "Mad Max" weekend closer to where I live I would dress up too.

 

[Max Replica]

You look great. If there was a "Mad Max" weekend closer to where I live I would dress up too.

Great writeup with pics. I saw your post about the pants first so I already responded there with my thoughts on the Southbeach versions of the Max stuff. And another happy owner here of the Magnolia Leather Works Mad Max shotgun holster (both the film one and film two versions)

My other suggestion for Abbyshot is that they need a different way to attach their badges. That pin is just too bendable and flimsy. It sometimes pops out of jackets and is VERY hard to attach to boots (for those of us that want the accurate second badge on the boots.)

One more tiny little thing that isn't exactly screen accurate about the Abbyshot jacket is that the rivets on the shoulder caps are evenly spaced. Makes sense from a manufacturing perspective, but the actual rivets on the movie shoulder cap are a little sloppier than that. Not something any sane person would notice though. And still the best replica in town when you consider the Southbeach jacket has those awful leather caps.

We definitely need to pressure Abbyshot to make their jacket tapered and with a shorter waist (something I like about my Southbeach jacket). I think you're right though, they probably want their jacket to fit the average costumer - which means a little breathing room around the middle.

Speaking of which, for those of you considering this jacket - don't be worried about MFP 2020's comments about the jacket being too tight around the biceps. I've seen MFP 2020s biceps. Most of the rest of you need not be concerned, you'll have enough room.

 

[Max Replica]

I may add a billy club later.

Here's a piece of trivia for you. The billy club was the only party of my costume that wasn't quite right. Why? Not because the club isn't totally screen accurate (though this is true as well), no it's because I was wearing my billy club along with the shotgun holster.
To be totally screen accurate it should be one or the other. Because Max doesn't add his shotgun holster until the end of the movie when he's going on his rampage, and by then he doesn't wear the billy club.
Then again, I like wearing both, so I just moved the billy club over to the other side. (Max generally wears his club on his right hip, but I didn't want it knocking into my shotgun replica all day so I wore it on the left side - the INCORRECT side. *Gasp*.).

 

[Solo4114]

AWESOME costume and car. I'm seriously envious.

I'd be curious as to how the jacket holds up over time, too. Having worn costume jackets for years (IE: Wested Raiders jacket), I've been a bit disappointed with the craftsmanship and durability of the jacket.