What kind of Tactical Vest

[Mtbkski]

I started asking questions in the wrong section by mistake, so I wanted to touch on this again. There was a lot of good info that you guys posted. And I'm hoping you will all post it again. It was getting looked at and more and more was pouring in. Just had it in the wrong place so we had to get rid of it.

So, what kind of tactical gear do you recommend? I am looking for something to carry a couple AK magazines (for Zombie Hunting). I have learned that not all AR magazines will hold AK mags. So, I am open to all the ideas you guy got.

I have been getting some really good info, and links, and I think others will benefit from it. So, hope you guys will take the time to post it again.

[TonyF]

First of all, you don't want one of those tactical vests. They are hot and the pouches are usually not arranged logically.

For example, if you are a right handed shooter, you don't want your rifle pouches on the right side of the vest where they will be difficult to reach with your support hand. Same goes for the integral pistol holster that so many feature. They're usually mounted crossdraw on the left side but that is where your rifle pouches need to be positioned.

Vest http://www.blackhawk.com/product1.asp?P=30VT26&C=C1116

Get a MOLLE platform because you can "customize" it with pouches of the type and style you prefer.

Some of these will have integral pockets for either AR or AK mags. Whatever qty. of AR mags a dedicated AR pouch will hold, subtract one and it will "usually" fit an AK mag. However, DeltaII5 is correct in that this is a general rule of thumb and design features may not accommodate AK mags well. Though AK mags "may" fit an AR pouch (less one), "functionality" may suffer. IOW it doesn't do you much good if the mags fit but you can't extract them or the means to secure them is sub-optimal.

Stay away from chest rig style plate carriers unless you intend to wear plates. They look neat but they need to be weighted down and balanced (front and back) by the plates or they will sag from the weight of loaded magazines.

Chest Rig Plate Carrier http://www.skdtac.com/index.asp?Page...PROD&ProdID=99

The Eagle Plate Carrier w/cumberbund is an excellent plate carrier but unless you wear plates it is overkill.

Eagle PC w/CB http://www.skdtac.com/index.asp?Page...PROD&ProdID=42

You also have to think long and hard about how many mags you intend to carry. Most people overdo it. Unless you're going on patrol in Baghdad or enrolled in an advanced training class, three mags plus one in the rifle is plenty IMHO.

Eagle makes a dedicated 3-mag MOLLE AK chest rig that is very nice. The only problem is their .mil contracts don't leave much production time for the commercial market and they have not been available for some time.

Eagle AK Chest Rig http://www.skdtac.com/index.asp?Page...ROD&ProdID=721

Another option is the Eagle / SKD collaboration of an all MOLLE platform. You can add whatever MOLLE pouches suit your fancy.

Eagle / SKD all MOLLE http://www.skdtac.com/index.asp?Page...ROD&ProdID=633

I had some recent correspondence with a Contractor working in Iraq and he told me he found the Eagle M4 6 Mag chest rig worked very well for 3 AK mags. I'm going to try one of these myself.

http://www.eagleindustries.com/prd_d...28&SubCatID=28

Did I mention not to overdo it with the number of mags you're considering carrying?

ETA: Fixed the links. They take you directly to the products.

[Kenshin]

Tony hit on just about all the points i can think of the really good plate and chest rigs. I had compiled a list of a lot of online dealers who carrier Eagle, Blackhawk, and other tactical goodies.


http://triadtactical.com/
http://www.lapolicegear.com/
http://www.blackhawk.com/
http://www.stubbygear.com/default.asp?pageid=2206 (Our very own )
http://www.uscav.com/
http://optactical.com/index.html
http://www.eagleindustries.com/ <- Received an contract from the government for vests and plate carriers. Might be hard to get the Eagle stuff.

So thats a list of the places I've explored in depth.

[fultonCoShooter]

Tony what do you think of the 5.11 products?

which molle vest do prefer?

[RocketFoot]

I have thought about getting a tac vest also. I don't shoot competitively or plan on going to war anytime soon so I'm not worried about mag location and what not...I just think it would be cool to grab and throw on in a SHTF bug out type situation. Or even for a day in the woods shooting with some buddies. Handy, easy to wear...and puts some needed gear at your finger tips. What more do you need?

[Mtbkski]

I just think it would be cool to grab and throw on in a SHTF bug out type situation. Or even for a day in the woods shooting with some buddies. Handy, easy to wear...and puts some needed gear at your finger tips. What more do you need?

That is my idea. I want one for SHTF situations. Like Tony said, you only really need to have 3 magazines on you and one in the gun. I don't want to carry aton of stuff. But I want them to ride comfortably. And be in locations that I can find quickly. I also plan on taking a course or two in correct Rifle Usage. And I know they have you doing combat reloads.

[TonyF]

Tony what do you think of the 5.11 products?

It depends on what exactly in their product line you're interested in. Some of their stuff is really innovative and some of it is overpriced. Their line of clothing is not very durable, especially the trousers.

which molle vest do prefer?

It's hard to beat the Eagle / SKD collaboration universal chest rig for price vs. features.

http://www.skdtac.com/index.asp?Page...PROD&ProdID=36

[TonyF]

I have thought about getting a tac vest also. I don't shoot competitively or plan on going to war anytime soon so I'm not worried about mag location and what not...I just think it would be cool to grab and throw on in a SHTF bug out type situation. Or even for a day in the woods shooting with some buddies. Handy, easy to wear...and puts some needed gear at your finger tips. What more do you need?

They have the appearance of being very convenient but they aren't.

[TonyF]

I want one for SHTF situations. But I want them to ride comfortably.

Well, one of the things I dislike most about the vests is that they inhibit mounting the rifle in the shoulder pocket. Note the way they're cut and drape over the shoulders.

And be in locations that I can find quickly.

A MOLLE platform is far more versatile.

I also plan on taking a course or two in correct Rifle Usage. And I know they have you doing combat reloads.

For an entry level carbine class, a couple of belt mounted pouches is all you need.

http://www.blade-tech.com/Rifle-Mag-Pouch-c-287.html

However, I've never used this style for an AK mag but they work great for AR15 mags.

[dgg9]

That is my idea. I want one for SHTF situations.

In what possible SHTF scenario will you be able to walk around town wearing a tac vest and an openly slung rifle? An "Omega Man" situation is unlikely, to put it mildly. In any real SHTF situation, there might be National Guard patrols at the time, then police and courts later, once the crisis subsides. I predict you don't want to attract that kind of attention.

My preference is for a discrete shoulder bag with integral mag pouches...sort of a "Jack Bauer Man Bag."