Tactical vests

C

Cappy2cap

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May 19, 2009
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1,684
Hey gents,

I'm looking for a tactical vest set up of some sort. I love hearing what my fellow Hogs use because I know they already have good taste in high quality gear. I'm looking for something that will accommodate a sig pistol, some clips of course and a knife about the same size as a tank buster.



Any suggestions or pics would be helpful

Thanks guys!
 
Ill post some pics of my setups tonight.

I like to keep it simple and low profile. I'm also a strong advocate of always carrying your pistol in the same spot so I make sure that my chest rigs don't interfere with 3 O Clock belt carry.
 
Can you be a bit more specific Sir? Are you talking about a plate carrier, a Kevlar ballistic vest, or a mag/pistol vest that can attach mags and holsters with Molle type attachments. Would love to offer advise, just need more specifics.
 
Much depends on what kind of set up you want to run. You've got the typical blackhawk/eagle industries tac vest with 6 mag pouches, zipper etc.. to put on extras, you have to attach a warbelt underneath for pistol, knife, drop pouch, etc.. if you get a vest with a pistol holster on one side your wasting too much primary weapon mag space to carry your secondary. Vest by the way are the Hottest of and less breathable, also with some every time you move, velcro pulls and pops.
If you go with a LBE system with suspenders/padded warbelt, you can attach your primary to your strong hand side and your knife to you weak, also depends on whether you intend on using a backpack over top of your setup on what you can put on the rear areas.
A chest rig, IMO is really designed for using vehicles where sitting down will push your mag pouches and gear into the top of your legs and on the backside not let you sit, so the chest rig allows that. But then you definitely have to attach knife and pistol to your pants belt, which then requires suspenders to really hold your pants up on the move or the weight pulls them down. much to consider when putting together your personal load bearing system.. some good places to look.
Blackhawk, Eagle industries, Tactical Tailor, SORDUSA, Endom, London Bridge, Spec ops brand, and heck even Condor makes some decent stuff. good luck. when you get it together do a 5 mile over land hump to make adjustments and see how if feels.
 
I'm not considering plate holders. I have some Kevlar covert armor to wear under my clothes. I also plan on wearing some sort of backpack. I'm not sure if I'd be better off with a tac vest or chest rig/belt combo. I'm looking to hold 3 mags ( 40 cal. ) a 6-7 inch knife. And a pistol. And maybe have a pouch or two for misc.
 
It depends on your intended use, but in most cases a vest is one of those pieces of kit that doesn't fit many roles. If you actually need molle storage more than a secondary, a knife, 4 mags (2 primary and 2 secondary) which can all fit on a good carry belt, you're probably in a situation that a plate carrier would be something to look in to. I think vests are more for trackers and professionals that may need to venture far into the woods armed, but has no risk of running into an armed resistance. If you're looking at a SHTF situation or an active shooter rig, you definitely want a PC. Try the SKD Pig carrier, it is full featured, rugged and has gotten very good reviews.

Kevlar isn't going to stop rifle rounds (unless you have dragon skin), and like I said, if you're looking to encounter armed resistance, you need a PC. Others armed to fight are going to have rifles. A lot of people wear Kevlar under plates in the form of backers. You're already going overt with the vest, why not get go ahead and do a plate carrier for some real protection?


If you're just needing a good rig to carry some mags and light gear, I highly recommend blue force gear's Ten Speed. It is a good value, and will work in conjunction with most plate carriers when you decide to upgrade (If you're wanting it for what I think you are, and you continue researching, I think you'll come to the realization that you need a PC). I like the stretch latches more than velcro however, maybe Haley's D3 chest rig http://haleystrategic.com/nylon/
 
Ok so if you aren't planning on carrying rifle mags I would suggest a war belt with suspenders.
 
Justice, I hear you about rifle fire protection but with plates what is the lightest you can move? Like 10lbs with plates and vest? This doesnot include other gear.
 
I really like SOE gear for quality products but I also own some condor products which are much more affordable and I haven't been disappointed yet.
 
Do not have much to offer to the original question but I would love see what you come up with once you decide.

Garth
 
I have always had to go the economic route . a lot of the rigs that I put together over the years have come from a combination of cheap paintball gear and army surplus stores and some modifications.
some of the paintball gear that's out there can be converted with little to no modification and is quite durable made for rolling around in the dirt and what not and usually has the mole atchment set up.
just an idea I know I've had to go the cheap route but that doesn't mean you do.
price and brand doesn't always mean practical.
Patrick-
 
I would look at a carrier from Tactical Assault Gear. They make some really high-quality stuff (in the US no less!) in various plain and camouflage color schemes for not a lot of money, with various load attachment points. Most of their plate carriers will take up to 11x14 SAPI/ESAPIs and whatever that size is for side plates.
 
Hsgi war belts and plate carriers and pouches are really hard to beat, For just a tactical vest the one from bcm is very well designed as well.
 
i don't have a VEST but i have my bug out bag set up with a knife on the strap in the same position it would be on a vest. I tried using a teklok and didn't like the way it sat on the strap, so i removed it and used zip ties instead. It sits much closer to the strap and is much more comfortable that way
 
I have Tactical Tailor's Mav-2 and BCM 03 MSF. They are great and can be paired with a war belt. I've heard Haley's is nice too. All my pouches are Eagle, before they were bought out they were local. TT can be personalized, BCM can not(6 AR pouches). Should be a way to attach a knife of that size.
Tactical Tailor:
 
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Nice guys. Man I think I am more at ends now than before. I like that tactical tailor chest rig. But the war belts look very practical as well. But now I'm wondering if I should go all out and but do a plate carrier with molle on the outside. It's seems that all the really good plates are LE or military only though


Does anyone know what the most protective (but made of the lightest material) civilian plates are?
 
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