Need some gear advice.

[kroberts]

Last weekend I went to a tactical carbine match southwest of Austin Texas. I enjoyed myself...as a spectator. I am thinking about giving it a try.

Practically speaking, one needs to wear a sidearm with extra mags at the ready. One also needs to carry a mil/cop style carbine with extra mags as well. I need some recommendations for a belt/holster/mag pouch combo for a full-size 1911 pistol.

If you have any ideas about a vest that will handle FAL mags, feel free to chime in as well.

Now the kicker. Given that I have never done this before and may very well suck at it, I dont want to spend $275.00 for some LBE that was designed by a retired SEAL and hand stitched in Milan by Bubba Versace. Second hand is good. Made in China is bad.

Dont tell the guys in the Texas forum. They make fun of gear-geeks :D

TIA,

kroberts

[MisterJG]

We'll keep this between you and I for a price.......How does one million dollars sound? :biggrin:

I picked up a surplus MOLLE LBV w/MOLLE belt for $15.00 shipped off of ebay and a MOLLE adaptable Camelbak hydration system (new but missing bite-valve) for $15.00 shipped. Now I can attach my mag pouches to it. My belt with loaded mags didn't work so well.

[kroberts]

Dammit Jesse,

Go away...you're not supposed to be here. Yer making me look bad.

I mean it.:wink:

OK...but dont tell Darren. I want to shoot his MP5 some day. If he finds out I'm going all fashion conscious, I don't think he'll let me.

kroberts

[B Wood]

If you are a casual gear user....then there is a lot of Molle gear on Ebay for cheap. Only problem is a lot of it is USMC molle gear which did not hold up to every day wear and tear. That is the same gear that Mister JG is referring to. On tactical gear you really get what you pay for.

Since you want USA made, check the following brands.
- Practical Tactical - Look at the Mesa series vest
- Tactical Tailor - 2 piece MAV rig is my fave..and they do pop up on EBAY for about $100 with pouches from time to time.
- Blackhawk DOAV - not bad...but made in Viet Nam
- High Speed - Bomb proof gear
- Eagle Industries - Molle gear is hard to get due to backorders and factory capacity being limited.

I prefer the Practical Tactical Mesa vest. FN74 here designed it. Other vests I can recommend are the Tactical tailor 2 piece MAV rig. Great rig. get the 2 piece...NOT the 1 piece. Easier to get in and out of. The DOAV vest is actually built pretty well ...and fits well. I was suprised by this vest. Once you get your vest you will find modern .308 mag pouches are hard to find. Blackhawk, Tactical Tailor have them. Practical Tactical is working on them. Their prototypes look great. I would wait until Practical has theirs out and buy them for whatever vest you use.

Good luck

[photomike]

I dont know about those, but I plan on doing some 3 gun as soon as I get my build back and I just bought one of these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=588&item=2266197865&rd=1

bought it from these guys, great shipping and great item. Holds 6 20 rd. FAL mags with magpulls up.

I figured I could get by with it for awhile and if it blows out, it's no big thing. I can take the aspects that I like about it and then upgrade at a later time.

I really wanted an M83 pattern chest harness but this is roughly the same thing. Also has Velcro silencers for all velcro. Seems comfortable and I could drive in it if I had to.

it's cordura nylon and matches the Fleck rainsuit that I have almost perfectly. Give me a day or 2 and Ill post some pics.



I also plan on getting the thigh rig adapter for my M12 holster from Specter here:

http://www.spectergear.com/

and the accesory thumb break so I can lose the flap.


Hope this helps.

Mikehttp://pics.montypics.com/photomike72/2004-09-10/1094876494_gear_003.jpg


http://pics.montypics.com/photomike72/2004-09-10/1094876256_gear_002.jpg

http://pics.montypics.com/photomike72/2004-09-10/1094876131_gear_001.jpg

[eggroll]

What exactly do you plan to shoot?

weapon drives gear amount, magazine carriage and overall functionality.

cost does have a direct bearing on functionality

EAGLE MLCS Rhodys are about 220 for just the base platform. BHI makes a very good copy that is functional and surprisingly well built - can be had a diamondback tactical for about 50 bucks

how are you equipped now? I recommend Kydex holsters from Bladetech, GCode or Comptac NO.... NO.... LEATHERS! or Cheap uncle mikes flimsy strapped belt holsters.

The last thing you want to do is fiddlephuck with securing a sidearm while reholstering or unsnapping when transitioning to it. The goal here is fluid movement to the point where transitioning from a primary weapon to a secondary weapon can be accomplished without second thoughts or LOOKING down at your holster.

not good to run a string from a prone position while billy bob norinco's locked and cocked1911 comes flying out of his belt holster because he forgot to secure his break strap, comes to land pointing right at my hip.

But again, this comes from a conscious decision to get gear that WORKS the first time out, with cheep gear you are highly likely to find that its not worth your expenditure and you're back to square one.

Again, having good gear is NOT a crutch for decent and repeated training, but it does help focussing your attention at what needs to be .

[eggroll]

These are pics of a highly modified SA pattern 83 chest harness used by an aussie.

Some Other takes on the pattern 83 Chest harness.

EGG

http://www.geardo.com/images/UserSubmissions/longhill/aussa83chest.jpg

http://www.geardo.com/images/UserSubmissions/longhill/aussa83chest2.jpg

http://www.geardo.com/images/UserSubmissions/longhill/aussa83chest3.jpg

http://www.geardo.com/images/UserSubmissions/longhill/aussa83chest4.jpg

http://www.geardo.com/images/UserSubmissions/longhill/aussa83chest5.jpg

[eggroll]

FWIW I run an Eagle MLCS 'Rhodesian' chest rig with 10 magazine capacity.
Pistol is worn strong side belt with magzines directly below and to the left of my rifle magazines on the chest rig.

EGG

[GOVT1911]

I have the Blackhawk DOAV and really like it. (I'm not real fond of BH, but I got this in a trade and am happy with it) I have tried many holsters and have found that the Safariland 6004 (I carry an issue M9) is the most comfortable and secure and still allows fast access and reholstering.
I carry 8 M4 mags, 2 M9 mags, 8 40mm grenades/flares, surefire 6P and still have room for other crap. vest is very comfortable and keeps everything where I need it I'll try to post a pic, but the computers here in Baghdad are kinda iffy most of the time.
HTH

[kroberts]

My pistol is a SA 1911. I've been researching holters, they seem reasonably priced. Vests seem to be where the money is. I havent looked for used stuff yet. In San Antonio, molle is mexican food. Is it a military acronym everywhere else?

I have no intentions of carrying a canteen, medkit, flares, toilet paper, k-bar, MRE's, and GPS. My chest rig would strictly be for mags.

I appreciate all the input fellas,

Thanks,

kroberts

[BroncoMafia]

For 3 gun, this simple chest rig is light, simple, and perfect for your needs:
http://www.lightfighter.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=655

The flaps can be tucked behind the mags for faster access with a friction fit.

There are versions made in the same price range by several different vendors.
Some of them do not include the pistol mag pouches though.
Buy quality geat that will not rip or come apart at the seams.

Hard to beat ~$50 for your main rig to get started in that expensive sport.

[eggroll]

Vests are great if you want to lose weight :D
I would advise looking at chest harnesses.

I had a couple of HSG dachs that held either 12 M4 or 9 308 magazines and could be doffed completely in under a second.

MOLLE - modular lightweight loadbearing equipment

in the end, it is your money, but buying gear and buying more can get expensive - thus the 5 foot pile of gear in my basement serves some purpose.

EGG

[Sword of Laban]

Photomikes ebay chest harness example is a total POS. Fell apart on the first tactical rifle match I wore it. I re-sewed the entire thing and added better connectors and thicker straps 2”. Hope it holds up now, may freak out the local PD by jogging with it fully loaded to see how it holds up now. Damn I’m cheap.

[Ironhandjohn]

I know you don't want Chinese crap, but the Type 63 chest pouch I got from kfranz here on the files fits the bill( for me)perfectly. It holds 7 FAL mags in individual pouches, which are a tad deep. I use 550 cord on the floorplates so getting the mags out quickly is easy. The little wooden buttons aren't the fastest things to open, but you can leave the pouch open, as there is no other mag to fall out. I would like to replace the 'apron string' straps with something quick-release, and I might get around to changing them out someday. I have a 52" chest and a 40" waist, yet I can still tie the strings around my thick waist. Getting them untied....... Now that's another story..... A little black and OD paint and it's good to go.



Best $27 I spent in awhile.......