Tactical Vests???

[Ship Ahoy]

I'm looking at different vests. Maybe one for the AR15 and one for the FAL.

Any suggestions on Special Operations Equipment or Tactical Tailor products?

I'm leaning towards the SOE Gear (PV) Patrol Vest. Seems to accomodate both the AR15 and the FAL.

:beer:

[daemon78223]

that vest sure looks cool but the price doesnt. you could get a damn RACK setup for what it costs. all their vests are like $300.

i do wonder how well the FAL mags would fit, if they would have extra space and rattle into each other, or maybe there is a type of insert you could use. if you are going for both FAL and M16 mags, id go with one of their other vests, that say they hold both but only have 2 m16 mags in each pouch. seems like it would be a little slimmer for going prone.


just my .02

[Ship Ahoy]

daemon78223 wrote,

you could get a damn RACK setup



OK, what is a RACK setup?

[BroncoMafia]

Most AR 3 mag pouches will hold 2 FAL mags nicely.
You may only need one vest if you choose properly.
No experience with SOE but they have a good rep.

A "RACK" is short for "Ranger RACK" system as sold to the military by specialty defense inc. (SDI).

Basically a chest harness system, copied by Blackhawk STRIKE (Commando chest harness) and Eagle MLCS (Rhodesian Reconnaisance Vest).

Check out Lightfighter (http://www.lightfighter.com/) for good pics of all 3 versions.

[Jen]

RACK is actually an acronym for Ranger Assault Carry Kit ;)

I got to play with a TT Mav last week, quite nice. I like their .308 pouches and I think modular is the way to go, but that's just me.

[BroncoMafia]

Thanks Jen, didn't want to look it up (knew it was an acronym)

[Ship Ahoy]

Thanks for all the info, wish there were someplace close where I could try these out before purchasing. That's a lot of money to spend without knowing if I'll like it. I'll have to find some people locally that may have some vests or RACKS (way too many jokes here, sorry).:devil:

[BroncoMafia]

I suspect that may be the reason the slightly-used gear market is so strong.
there are a lot of good buys to be had on ARF and lightfighter (http://lightfighter.net/eve)

probably other places too but I have had some luck at those 2.

[rcnpthfndr]

i have been using a tactical tailor MAV-1 for 3 years now. no issues or complaints. also have the modular leg holster rig. makes it easy to switch things around for the type's of missions going on. also the lifetime guarantee is great to have. well worth the money. also as jen stated, modular is the way to go. i carry 5x 3 mag M-4pouches and 1 m14 pouch for our m21's. jsut my $.02

[alpha8045]

Texas Tactical Gear, which is a sponsor of the Falfiles, is a great place to buy gear.

www.texastacticalgear.com

From looking at their website, they've got SOE and Tactical Tailor in stock. I'd give them a call--they're cool.


Jeremy

[eggroll]

Not to piss in anyones pancakes, but the RACK design was NOT copied by Eagle as the MLCS.

Anyways back to the original thread direction. SOE builds robust if not the most robust LBE harnesses on the market.... I ought to know, I currently own four of their rigs. That being said, it is my personal belief that the MODULAR concept is the way to go... so much so that I started to build gear for myself.... including 308 pouches.

Anyhow, do NOT go the RACK route... your best compromise is to get yourself a BHI STRIKE chest harness and configure it as you see fit.

EGG

[crazyk2758]

Originally posted by eggroll
Anyways back to the original thread direction. SOE builds robust if not the most robust LBE harnesses on the market.... I ought to know, I currently own four of their rigs. That being said, it is my personal belief that the MODULAR concept is the way to go... so much so that I started to build gear for myself.... including 308 pouches.
EGG

I know you have a rep for honest and real world experience in regards to gear, Egg. What is your opinion/experience with SOE's Molle rig? How does it compare to TT MAV-2? Do you prefer SOE's pouches or TT's?

I liked BHI, until I found that it is not made here in the US.

Thank you for your reponse or anyone else's response.

[Sayeret Tzanhanim]

I personally like my Blackhawk Delta Operator’s Assault Vest (DOAV). I have used it for the past two years - in Iraq and eight months in Afghanistan. It held a lot of stuff and and just felt snug and comfortable - easy to move in. Had two Level IV panels I wore in a harness underneath
That is…I wore them most of the time. Damn.

My basic load on KPD was the following:

Nine 30 rnd M4 mags
One 30 rnd M4 mag tracer
Three Glock mags
One smoke
One Frag
First Aid pouch (left side accessory pouch was perfect
Lensatic Compass
Miscellaneous pouch (smokes, cope, power bars, sunflower seeds, etc)
Binos
Internal Hydration bladder
Motorola w/ hand mike

They are sending it home to me. The round went through the zipper and they cut some of the straps away, but I like that kit enough to get it repaired.

http://www.wendyhines.com/Kit.jpg

http://www.wendyhines.com/Well.jpg

[BroncoMafia]

Originally posted by eggroll
Not to piss in anyones pancakes, but the RACK design was NOT copied by Eagle as the MLCS.
EGG

:biggrin:
No worries Egg, I am a steak and eggs guy anyway.

Speaking of eggs, which came first, the SDI RACK or the BHI and Eagle versions?

Everyone knows Eagle rocks, and I am thrilled to find MOLLE gear from them for sale (finally) to the public.
This is the first time I have seen an eagle version (in the Lightfighter website) so naturally I assumed it was newer.

TIA

[gw11]

Ship Ahoy

PM sent on a vest I want to unload!

gw11

[Sayeret Tzanhanim]

I take it BHI is short for Blackhawk industries?
If so I agree their STRIKE system is the way to go.
I think, like in most things, balance should be the goal. You should be able to move quickly and be comfortable in your gear for hours (days) on end, not just quick photo-ops at the range or neato-posing in the backyard. I was on a job with a guy who had a Convertable Plate Carrier from Special Forces Gear and it was just too damn heavy and bulky; in and out of vehicles and standing around and walking all day .He ended up selling it and going with a Blackhawk Commando Chest rig (I mean, who in the hell needs NINE mag pouches for a pistol?). Not to slam SF Gear - it was very well made but c'mon, man
If my DOAV returns beyond repair, I intend to invest in the STRIKE DOAV and start building the perfect vest - perfect for me, that is. To each his own.

[eggroll]

lessee, notice that I did not mention SOE's modular equipment.

Let me requalify that SOE makes great FIXED pocket vests and harnesses, that being said - for AR use I like the FORCE low cut double mag pouches with a triple pistol mag pouch affixed to the front.

I bought a bunch of the MOLLE compatible SOE when they came out last year, but promptly sold it all off after finding that their webbing did not match, and I did not feel like modifying to be so. Anyhow, several other folks requested that I perform the compatibility mod to the SOE pouches so that you could correctly weave MALICE clips through.

TT's pouches are decent quality and have the plus of being made here. I like their single mag opentopped bungee secured pouches... I run three on my EAGLE MLCS.


EAGLES' MLCS gear wont be out until later this year, and as it is right now, forget about getting the pouches... they will sell only the harnesses and LBE. Unless of course you ARE military or LE.

//pending possible information change//



RACK came first circa 1996-7

My Chest harness is configured for 12 AR, 2 pistol and two Mk13's
three more pistol on my belt along with my grock19.


Phew!

Anyhow, have you looked at the HSGI DACH? 9 308 mag capacity (if you really want a work out, get the 60 12G shotshell panel that goes inside the rig.) This platform is about 13" square.

EGG

[crazyk2758]

Originally posted by eggroll
Anyhow, have you looked at the HSGI DACH? 9 308 mag capacity (if you really want a work out, get the 60 12G shotshell panel that goes inside the rig.) This platform is about 13" square.

EGG I looked at the DACH by HSGI (http://www.highspeedgearinc.com/) but it seems front heavy, and it did not look like it provided for any additions on the back and shoulders.

[eggroll]

well it is designed to wear in conjunction with other LBE, hance the low profile suspension. I have worn the DACH bombed out with 9 FAL, 60 shells and two Glock 19 mags, and did not notice an appreciable rideup.

If you are a glutton for punishment, DACHs can shipwith the optional dropleg subload hardware, so you can wear the DACH on your leg!

EGG