An outer shell with 7 inner strands! One rated at 550lbs and available in four or six colors, and another actually rated at 450 but called 550 paracord and available in 32 colors.

An outer shell with 7 inner strands made of two braided strands!

An outer shell with 7 strands made of 3 braided strands! I like this the best, but I've only heard of it.

Who makes the real mil-spec paracord, and where can it be purchased?

I've purchased mil-spec 550 from Brigade Quartermasters. It's only offered in military colors, but it's good quality.

100 yard spool

100' hanks

50' hanks

There are 5 types of paracord:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paracord

I've been trying to find a good source of type IV for a while now (750lb breaking strength, 11 core).

Kris

I have 2 1000 foot rolls purchased at a gun show. It’s military made, no aftermarket stuff. It’s probably enough to last the rest of my life.

The local army surplus outlet store down the road from me has some aftermarket stuff in 100 foot rolls. I have no idea if it’s as strong, but it looks the same to me.

Who makes it? Probably more than one manufacturer, whoever places the lowest bid at any given time.

Where to get it? A jillion places. Besides the sources already given, I have no doubt a google search would turn up a lot more...

It's hard to use the word 'real' when talking about generic military stuff because it's really hard to tell sometimes. I'm sure in the last 20 years a dozen or more companies have provided paracord for the military and I'm sure there are at least that many today providing knock offs made in Mexico or China. In many cases there is nothing wrong with the knockoffs.

OBG is right on the money too. It's made by the lowest bidder...or whoever can provide the quantities that the military wants to order it in. Can't supply 100,000 feet? They'll go to the next Tom, Dick, or Paracord Harry.

I like buying accessory cord from climbing supply places. It's actually rated for something and not just called '550 paracord' with no actual proof it's military spec or that it holds any particular weight. The climbing cord is usually much lighter. It's coarse however and doesn't have the internal threads. Both features are nice when you're making lanyards or using the cord for survival purposes.

There are several mills that produce mil-spec para cord. The most common is Mil-C-5040 Type III wihich is rated at 550 lbs tensile strength (550 cord). There is also Type I rated at 100 lb tensile strength and Type IV, rated at 750lbs. Type IV is milled only occassionally and is difficult to stock.

Most, if not all of the "550 Cord" that comes in colors other than white or green and possibly black is commercial grade. That is, it's made by the same mill but is not made to the strict specs of mil-spec cord. If there is doubt as to whether a company's paracord is mil-spec or not, you can ask them to produce a certification letter to that effect.

Mike

"...doesn't have the internal threads...making lanyards..."

I have some paracord that was advertised as being British. Don't know if it is or not. But it is a more braided type of cord, no internal threads, and it is great for "weaving" into lanyards, key fobs, etc. Not worth a dang for fishing line, making a gill net, sewing, or any of the other things you use the internal thread for tho...

Here are a few internet sources for the real deal:

www.supplycaptain.com

www.tadgear.com

www.countycomm.com

Where is the best bargain on the real stuff?