LBE

rowjimmy · October 24, 2009, 14:39

I read the sticky on combat load, but how do all of you carry a number of FAL mags? Any particular gear most appropriate? I'm versed in .223 loads, but not FAL. Any suggestions are , as always, appreciated. I've read about using m14 gear...what else works?

RJ

Survey Punk · October 24, 2009, 14:41

Four 20 round magazines fit a M16 bandoleer nicely.

JB

brownknees · October 24, 2009, 16:04

Std M-16 mag pouches work too, once you cut the internal tapes. You get 2 mags sideways instead of 3 front-to back. You can even get 2 extra pairs of socks in the bottom as well.

For something a little less bulky the German leather ones work well, but are a bit slow to get mags from as you need to pull the tab straps to drag them up enough to grab. They will fit unnoticed under a hip length outer coat though.

Ssarge · October 24, 2009, 18:28

Charles's Surplus has ALICE mag pouches for the M14, which will of course fit the FAL. There used to be some nice Canadian C1 pouches floating around new for cheap as well.

Tuscan Raider · October 24, 2009, 18:32

+1 on M-14 pouches. Have 3 on my LBE.

M829A3 · October 24, 2009, 19:30

Standard LBE belt and suspenders with canteen, 6 M16 pouches with dividers cutout, pistol ammo pouch, and 1st aid kit, works for me. Go with what you know.

mace2364 · October 25, 2009, 10:37

The '58 pattern British gear is cheap and plentiful at this point. You can put 3 mags in both ammo pouches(they will even fit the 30rders) and you can buy a basic set for less than $25, and I think I bought 2 sets from sportsmans guide for like $15. There will be plenty of room on your belt to add extra stuff as well. For a good light weight rig, get one of the Rhodesian rigs that 101 makes. It holds 4 mags, and its what I keep my "ready" mags in.

**Lniceshot** · October 25, 2009, 20:21

+1 on the '58 rig. CTD has them also. For quick grab and go I use the bandoliers that came with RG 7.62 on 5 rnd strippers. They will hold 5 mags.

Deltaten · October 26, 2009, 08:06

USGI web belt, USGI "Y" harness, 2 Canadian C-2 pouches; with optional space for two more to the rear. Use black ny-ties to suspend the top straps to the harness above the snap-links. Tape-off as needed.

The mounts for the pouches are a bit low for my tastes. Without suspending them so; they tend to flop down from the top. Apparently, the original Canuk wide belt and plastic fastening set up worked a bit better??

In my dotage, I find 80 rounds will be about all I will need; to either finish the job at hand or collapse in a heap. Ya can always throw a couple carriers or bandos in the butt-pack or other gear bags.

Light is right!

rowjimmy · October 26, 2009, 16:14

Thanks for all of the replies..I love the diversity of the responses!

RJ

parisofthewest · October 26, 2009, 19:14

South African web gear with the following mods:

Replaced shoulder straps w/ ice tactical shoulder straps.
Added USGI pistol belt pad.
Cut out flimsy metal buckle and added USGI pistol belt buckle.

10 mags-200 rounds. Panic in Detroit.

Parisofthewest

Noodles McGee · October 26, 2009, 19:21

Quote:

Originally posted by mace2364
For a good light weight rig, get one of the Rhodesian rigs that 101 makes. It holds 4 mags, and its what I keep my "ready" mags in.

I went with a 5pouch version. Simple, light, sturdy, low profile.

I'd buy another.

PARA FN FAL · October 28, 2009, 18:29

I find that the ChiCom 7 pouch chest rig is the best for me. On the 2 end pouches I had to use para cord to go over the wooden toogles but it just feels right and carries more mags than I should need. When I am not using that system I am using a chest rig that holds 5 mags that is made of nylon and velcro. In Rhodesia it looks like troops who used traditional LBE would still throw a chest rig/mag bra of some type on over the LBE to boost mag carrying capacity.

The Canadian C1 pouches seem a bit floppy to me so I would rather use M14 pouches or M16 pouches with a riser in the bottom for my LBE. Also weight is a factor. I can load up LBE with more than I feel comfortable carrying around so don't be affraid to ditch some mags off the LBE and just carry extra ammo as needed in boxes or on bandoleers.

October 24, 2009, 14:39	#1
rowjimmy Registered FALaholic #: 21662 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Central PA Posts: 3,579	LBE I read the sticky on combat load, but how do all of you carry a number of FAL mags? Any particular gear most appropriate? I'm versed in .223 loads, but not FAL. Any suggestions are , as always, appreciated. I've read about using m14 gear...what else works? RJ

October 24, 2009, 14:41	#2
Survey Punk FALaholic #: 8380 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Blounts Creek, NC Posts: 4,163	Four 20 round magazines fit a M16 bandoleer nicely. JB __________________ "If innocence is no protection from the weight of criminal law, a crucial incentive to maintain innocence is lost" Fran Haga

October 24, 2009, 18:32	#5
Tuscan Raider Registered FALaholic #: 19668 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 2,960	+1 on M-14 pouches. Have 3 on my LBE. __________________ "An eye for an eye makes us all blind." Ghandi "We, here in America, hold in our hands the hopes of the world, the fate of the coming years; and shame and disgrace will be ours if in our eyes the light of high resolve is dimmed, if we trail in the dust the golden hopes of men." Theodore Roosevelt Address at Carnegie Hall March 30, 1912

October 24, 2009, 19:30	#6
M829A3 Registered FALaholic #: 10377 Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: PA Posts: 805	Standard LBE belt and suspenders with canteen, 6 M16 pouches with dividers cutout, pistol ammo pouch, and 1st aid kit, works for me. Go with what you know. __________________ Safety and economic recovery?? News Flash.... The results are in....You will not recover and you sure AS HELL, aren't safe. Welcome to Amerika Comrade, join the party.

October 25, 2009, 10:37	#7
mace2364 Registered FALaholic #: 20575 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Tennessee Posts: 276	The '58 pattern British gear is cheap and plentiful at this point. You can put 3 mags in both ammo pouches(they will even fit the 30rders) and you can buy a basic set for less than $25, and I think I bought 2 sets from sportsmans guide for like $15. There will be plenty of room on your belt to add extra stuff as well. For a good light weight rig, get one of the Rhodesian rigs that 101 makes. It holds 4 mags, and its what I keep my "ready" mags in. __________________ Making the world a better place.........one round at a time.

October 24, 2009, 16:04	#3
brownknees Registered FALaholic #: 14917 Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: mid atlantic Posts: 12,015	Std M-16 mag pouches work too, once you cut the internal tapes. You get 2 mags sideways instead of 3 front-to back. You can even get 2 extra pairs of socks in the bottom as well. For something a little less bulky the German leather ones work well, but are a bit slow to get mags from as you need to pull the tab straps to drag them up enough to grab. They will fit unnoticed under a hip length outer coat though.

October 24, 2009, 18:28	#4
Ssarge Registered FALaholic #: 247 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Pensacola, Florida Posts: 7,473	Charles's Surplus has ALICE mag pouches for the M14, which will of course fit the FAL. There used to be some nice Canadian C1 pouches floating around new for cheap as well.

October 25, 2009, 20:21	#8
Lniceshot Veteran Member Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 40075 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,059	+1 on the '58 rig. CTD has them also. For quick grab and go I use the bandoliers that came with RG 7.62 on 5 rnd strippers. They will hold 5 mags. __________________ Master of Disaster/Undocumented Contributor

October 26, 2009, 08:06	#9
Deltaten Registered FALaholic #: 124 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Lancaster, PA USA Posts: 8,502	USGI web belt, USGI "Y" harness, 2 Canadian C-2 pouches; with optional space for two more to the rear. Use black ny-ties to suspend the top straps to the harness above the snap-links. Tape-off as needed. The mounts for the pouches are a bit low for my tastes. Without suspending them so; they tend to flop down from the top. Apparently, the original Canuk wide belt and plastic fastening set up worked a bit better?? In my dotage, I find 80 rounds will be about all I will need; to either finish the job at hand or collapse in a heap. Ya can always throw a couple carriers or bandos in the butt-pack or other gear bags. Light is right! __________________ All or Nothing! Senator McCarthy was right! and as always......FYB!

October 26, 2009, 16:14	#10
rowjimmy Registered FALaholic #: 21662 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Central PA Posts: 3,579	Thanks for all of the replies..I love the diversity of the responses! RJ

October 26, 2009, 19:14	#11
parisofthewest Registered FALaholic #: 45458 Join Date: May 2009 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 455	South African web gear with the following mods: Replaced shoulder straps w/ ice tactical shoulder straps. Added USGI pistol belt pad. Cut out flimsy metal buckle and added USGI pistol belt buckle. 10 mags-200 rounds. Panic in Detroit. Parisofthewest __________________ Detroit: A Socialist utopia at it's finest! Molôn Labé!

October 28, 2009, 18:29	#13
PARA FN FAL Registered FALaholic #: 17487 Join Date: May 2005 Location: las vegas Posts: 1,094	I find that the ChiCom 7 pouch chest rig is the best for me. On the 2 end pouches I had to use para cord to go over the wooden toogles but it just feels right and carries more mags than I should need. When I am not using that system I am using a chest rig that holds 5 mags that is made of nylon and velcro. In Rhodesia it looks like troops who used traditional LBE would still throw a chest rig/mag bra of some type on over the LBE to boost mag carrying capacity. The Canadian C1 pouches seem a bit floppy to me so I would rather use M14 pouches or M16 pouches with a riser in the bottom for my LBE. Also weight is a factor. I can load up LBE with more than I feel comfortable carrying around so don't be affraid to ditch some mags off the LBE and just carry extra ammo as needed in boxes or on bandoleers.

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