Vest for AR magazines?

[Steve1]

I was wondering what vest you would suggest for packing AR-15 magazines. Things have changed so much since I was in the military, that I have a lot to learn. Back in the day we used magazine pouches that fit on a pistol belt. I know there are better systems now. When the Zombies attack I want to be ready.....I also have a glock pistol. Is it a good idea to have that on your vest. I know these are greenhorn questions. I appreciate your help with this.

 

[Delta4-3]

There are so many options out there that it would be impossible to give you a good recommendation with out some more info, such as;
How many mags do you want to carry?
What kind of retention do you want?
Are you running armor with it?
Is there anything else you want to carry on it as well?
What are do you plan on doing with it?

 

[Steve1]

Well, that's a good point. I sometimes think beyond home defense. Like what if the economy goes belly up. Or what if there is a natural disaster where chaos and thugs rule. Or with all the people who hate the U.S., what if there is war on American soil. Finding yourself in an armed conflict is entirely possible, and it might not be inside my home. So, I think a lot of people are thinking tactical thoughts these days.

I've got an AR-15 and I'd like to pack extra magazines. I'd think that four to six would be plenty. Anything else I could probably carry in a pack or on my belt. I'm an old guy, so packing armor is probably out. I have a hard enough time packing myself around.

I wonder too about having too much gear on your front. Getting as low as possible is important, when bullets are flying. It seems like most vests carry multiple magazines on the front. I had a friend who had his pack all shot up as he lay in the tall grass of Vietnam. Being able to get low may save your life.

There are a ton of different vests out there. I guess I'll just have to look them all over and pick one. I like carrying my Glock on my right hip. Maybe on the front of a vest, it would be even more handy....

 

[Petrichor Actual]

I've been thinking about a modular chest rig for similar reasons. I'd be curious what people are using and would suggest.

 

[jrassy]

Have a look Comstock Rifle Tack

 

[durandal64]

I run a simple chest rig for training purposes. SKD Tactical | Select Military and Law Enforcement Tactical Gear and Equipment has some great gear and options, and I have never had an order go sideways on me. The chest rig I used before building a 1st line belt and plate carrier is the PIG UCR.



It has room for 6-8 mags, and pouches for pistol mags or multi-tools or flashlights or what have you. This or something similar may be what you are looking for. I loved using mine (I had a previous version to the current one) and still use it on occasion, but these days I prefer to run a 1st line belt (or Battle Belt) with 2 AR mags, 2 pistol mags and a IFAK and pistol holster. Of course, YMMV.

 

[coastwatcher42]

I have one of these Product Selection: #MRC-003, 5.56 Hybrid Chest Rig ATS TACTICAL GEAR "Outfitting the World's Finest Warriors" from ATS Tactical. It is extremely well made and very functional. Although it wouldn't be considered a micro-rig, it is lightweight and very low profile.

 

[Petrichor Actual]

These are exactly the suggestions I was looking for. Thanks, guys. God, I love this forum.

 

[Vio515]

Not sure how much you want to spend but you could go semi-old school with a surplus LBV?

Armygear.net -- Gen II Tactical Load Bearing (LBV/LBE) Vests, Woodland Camo, USGI

This is a much cheaper option than the latest and greatest.

Matt

 

[J-Ham]

This is my personal opinion so take it with a grain of salt, it's worth what you paid for it. As some have said, I have a couple of different setups to use for different situations. Personally, I don't like any type of belt. There's a ton of guys on here that swear by them as indicated by this thread (surprise surprise, this has been covered before), but theyre just not for me: http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...59887-using-war-belt-vest-tactical-comps.html

If I'm JUST shooting my rifle (I don't compete by the way), I use a TacReady chest rig (I'm not sure if they make them anymore or not). It's very simple, my feelings are that less is more in this instance. It holds a few magazines (this one is for .308 sized mags but there's plenty for AR's too) with some molle for extra stuff but not a ton. I don't want a bunch of shit on my chest rig, that's what a pack is for... I can go a long time with just mags & water, haha! I also don't get too excited about carrying a pistol on me. Like I said before, I don't like shit around my waist, it make running & moving difficult, but that's just me. Hell even when I was in Iraq doing this for real, I carried my Beretta in my pack & busted it out once we got to the hide. I'd rather spend the time getting my primary back into action (in MOST instances) than to be stuck with a pistol, haha!

But I also have another setup for more 'aggressive' scenarios that is a full kit of kevlar & plates, so I just have AR mag pouches attached directly to that. Like you indicated, I just stick to the single-stack ones because I don't want to become so thick & bulky that I can't move around well... If you can't move, all the ammo in the world isn't going to save you, haha! But I'm of the school of thought that I JUST want the essentials ON me, all of my tactical Cheetos & my flesh-light are stowed safely in pack which is rarely far from me.

Anyway, there's some mindless ramblings of mine... Shoot me a PM if you want pictures of my setup, I still don't know how to post pictures here, haha!

J

 

[Steve1]

Thanks for the help with this. The more I read, the more I realize I have a lot to learn. When I was in the army, over forty years ago, all my training was free......Technology and tactics have changed a lot since then. I appreciate the advice from people who have been there and done exactly what I'm asking about....I've learned a lot from just the short time I've been on this forum....

 

[Jon Lester]

http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...28453-my-vest-set-up-sniper-competitions.html

 

[2manygunz]

High Speed Gear's (HSGI) small chest rig is comfortable and very compact. You can carry up to eight mags comfortably. FWIW, their TACO magazine pouches really do work well. Just another of the many options for you to explore.

 

[J-Ham]

There is A LOT of personal preference that goes into gear selection & how you're going to carry your equipment & all that, but as a general rule of wrist, it's always a good idea to listen to what Mr. Lester has to say!

 

[snipe10]

+1 for HSGI, their belts are great too

 

[Steve1]

Those sniper competitions sound really interesting. I guess I've never heard of these until I started reading this forum. That would be a great way to learn long range shooting. Is there anything like that in Montana? A buddy of mine belonged to a long range shooting club over in the Big Hole. I really need to join something like that....A lot of this would take forever to learn on your own....I really appreciate the advice on this forum.....

 

[FN in MT]

Where are you in Montana? Despite all the open land...there's only a handful of places that shoot LR.

FN in MT

 

[mark5pt56]

Since age has creeped up on you, look for a split front rig. It's a ton easier to put on and take off. Realistically, I would keep it low profile with pouches designed for one mag each, maybe a pouch for 1-2 pistol mags and a multi tool. Maybe a small 1st Aid kit, with a compression bandage and tourniquet. I would keep the belt simple as in knife/multi tool, pistol, spare pistol mags. Think in three layers of "transport" What's on your belt should be concealed within reason, you can roll up the small vest and either lash to or carry inside the pack for low pro and of course have the pack. Choose a pack that's not "screaming" gun stuff and also choose your clothing the same.
I don't think he's in business any longer, might be and I don't have his info, UAW Gear in Waxhaw NC, he made me a split front about 10 years ago, maybe someone will have his info? Tactical Tailor makes a split front as well, think SKD Gear carries the line.

As stated, think of how you are going to use it and be real about it all, you won't be a travelling show kicking in doors, etc.

Oh-forgot-the vest should be able to conceal under a large shirt/jacket.

http://www.tacticaltailor.com/mavbody2piece.aspx

 

[Steve1]

FN in Mt.,
I'm over at Culbertson, Mt. right now. Been there about thirty years. The wife and I will be moving back to Stevensville this summer. I grew up there. I need to get my horses and mules up in the mountains again.....

 

[Shooter45]

I run a S.O.E. light modular vest that they no longer make but they have close things. On that I use the HSGI Taco pouches because of the universal use of them for multiple calibers instead of having to change the placement or different magazine pouches for different rifles. I have four single pouches on the front and double pouches on each side. That is what I have found to work best. I don't like things sticking out far on my front side preventing me from getting down low when I'm shooting and grabbing mags from the side is easier if you are in the prone vs having to roll to one side to access magazines. Pistol mags usually stay on my belt with extras inside an internal compartment on my vest.

Chest rigs are the easiest thing to me and what I've run for years now. They are simple to throw on fast when needed and go directly over armor and plates if needed.
Original S.O.E. Gear
TACO Pouches

 

[FN in MT]

FN in Mt.,
I'm over at Culbertson, Mt. right now. Been there about thirty years. The wife and I will be moving back to Stevensville this summer. I grew up there. I need to get my horses and mules up in the mountains again.....

Stevensville is still a ways away....but Summer and Fall the Great Falls club shoots LR Rifle every Wednesday afternoon. Steel plates at 675 to 1240 yards. It's quite unregulated other than for safety. Some guys shoot off a bench, others off a mat. Everything from Tactical rifles and big bores to guys shooting Garands and M1A's. Your invited over whenever You wish. Drop me a PM.

FN in MT

 

[Ledzep]

Here's my opinion on this. I am a rifleman in the USMC, and I've ran through my fair share of chest rigs, vests, plate carriers etc. In my eyes, if you don't intend to wear body armor, just put it all on a belt.

Find a nice padded MOLLE belt and maybe a set of suspenders, put a double-double mag pouch on it, and then whatever else you want (pistol holster/mags, knife, first aid kit, dump pouch, GP pouch etc.). My issued flak jacket has a pouch on it for all of the 10 fucking pieces of optics/nav gear the Corps issues to me, 1 mag pouch, and 2 grenade pouches on it. That is it. Everything else goes on a belt or a pack/camelback.

You want the weight on your hips, not your shoulders. Your torso moves when you move (walk, run, whatever), and all that weight moves with it. Not a big deal for a shot duration, but over the long haul your shoulders and back will start to fatigue. Chest rigs and vests tend to hold in a lot of body heat, too. Your hips hardly move at all, so you're not 'flinging' weight with every step, just to have it fight you. I think they offer a lot more personal mobility in terms of bending/moving. Belts are also 20x better in the prone than lying down with full mag pouches on your ribs.

That's my take on it, anyway. If you're going to have a flak or plate carrier with sappis anyways, go ahead and throw some stuff on it, but if you don't need shit on your chest, don't put it there.

 

[Steve1]

Thanks for the invite FN! I'll keep that in mind. I just bought a new long range scope for my 300, so I hope to do a lot of shooting with it.

 

[jbjh]

M4carbine.net and weaponsevolution.com have few good threads with pics and links on them about this topic, as well as war belts. Ar15.com does as well, but the search function on the site is a little frustrating.

Please don't forget that while thugs, brigands, zombies, etc, are valid concern in an emergency situation, water, food, medical, fuel/energy and shelter should be higher on the list than defensive security. Everyone needs to eat and drink, even in Mad Max.

 

[Steve1]

Ledzep,
When I was in the army back in the olden days, we used to fasten almost everything to a pistol belt. Onto that they had web gear. This was a type of suspenders. You also fastened a type of small pack onto the back. I liked the suspender contraption, but the little pack flopped all over the place, and I didn't really care for it. The suspender part of the web gear helped a lot though. It held up the weight of your canteen, magazine pouches, etc. that were on the pistol belt. That might be a good option.

I haven't trained with a vest like many of you have, so I appreciate the advice.....

 

[Steve1]

Please don't forget that while thugs, brigands, zombies, etc, are valid concern in an emergency situation, water, food, medical, fuel/energy and shelter should be higher on the list than defensive security. Everyone needs to eat and drink, even in Mad Max.

I guess I wonder what the world would be like with hordes of starving people (many with weapons), no law enforcement, electricity, or fuel. If this country's economy fails....What then? Having a stash of whatever would be nice, but lot's of folks are going to try to take it. Not everyone will sit back and die quietly. A Mad Max world is something I hope never comes in my families life time. At the same time I think just such a crisis will come. Those who are prepared in the right way, and lucky may survive. Most won't make it, if the crisis lasts long enough, and is of a large enough scale.

I don't think any of this is too far fetched. If you study animal poplulations, the numbers often go up and up, and then there is a big crash where only the hardiest survive. This happens every day in nature. I don't think humans are too smart to avoid this....

I wish I had all the answeres to this one. These are my own random thoughts..... Nobody would make it by themselves. A team of individuals might. Many plan to head to the boondocks, but even there, thugs would try to take what you have if you can't defend it.....And then you would run out of food and supplies, if you can't get some somehow. Money wouldn't have value. Bartering might be a possibility. Growing food, or secretly stashing (and defending it) holds hope. Hunting and fishing would work for a while, until supplies were diminished....

Any one else have ideas on this? I'd like to hear what you think. At any rate, I think gun people, hunters, and outdoorsmen are more in tune to this than most other folks.....

 

[Wyfox]

This would be your best bet for bug out,

Haley Strategic D3

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