Choices, choices, choices...

[Trixter]

http://www.rstactical.com/pd_soe_patrol_vest.cfm

http://www.rstactical.com/pd_so_tech_callahan.cfm

http://www.rstactical.com/pd_tag_molle.cfm

http://www.skdtac.com/item.asp?ItemI...ategoryNum=187

http://www.skdtac.com/category.asp?CATEGORYID=163

http://www.skdtac.com/category.asp?CATEGORYID=220

Which one?!!?!?!?!?!

I have enough money for the TAG plate carrier, i'm $10 away from the Eagle plate carrier. I wouldn't have a problem saving up longer though.

Body Specs:
37" Chest (yeah i'm skinny)
5'11" give or take half an inch
In the vicinity of 140lbs

[bruce]

Yo Trixter, ;-). I think the Callahan will be too loose for you. I fit it just bearly even with half inch foam inserts and about 35 lbs over you. If you really like the look of the Callahan, choose the Tomcat version over the Hellcat.

I like the looks of the Eagle MOLLE plate carrier with cummerbund and would be my first choice. Lots of real estate to mount your pouches on.

[Farmboy]

Trixter

Ask around at some of the games if you can try some guys gear on that have these set ups so you can see what you prefer and what fits you.

If your in the GTA you can try on some of the TAG gear I have in stock.

You will have to watch with some of the rigs due to your size, they might not tighten up enough and you'll have them moving around.

The other option is getting something that has adjustment straps that can be cut and sewn to be shorter.

[Adrian]

The buzz on the TAG plate carrier is that it's _massive_. I run a small/medium Eagle carrier w/ cumberbund and it fits my scrawny ass like a glove. Although I would recommend a pair of fake plates for it though.

Cheers,

[Trixter]

Originally Posted by bruce

Yo Trixter, ;-). I think the Callahan will be too loose for you. I fit it just bearly even with half inch foam inserts and about 35 lbs over you. If you really like the look of the Callahan, choose the Tomcat version over the Hellcat.

I like the looks of the Eagle MOLLE plate carrier with cummerbund and would be my first choice. Lots of real estate to mount your pouches on.

The thing i like about the Callahan is that it looks cool, and it holds mags internally. The 6 mags it holds internally (can the tomcat hold 12 m16 mags internally?). This means i spend less money on mag pouches. That saves me about 2 triple m16 mag pouches. I like to be able to carry enough mags on me to not have to reload for the whole day. Sure there's the weesatch, but IMO, it doesn't look as cool as the Callahan :wink: I don't plan on having a lot of pouches. I saw your (bruce) setup and that's pretty much how my setup will be (though i'll start just with the Callahan and a few of my MAV pouches on it).

The Eagle Plate Carrier w/ Cummerbund was initially my first choice, but then my friend said i should save up a while longer and get a BDS (SOE) rig. This spawned a whole train of ideas in my head because BDS is good, but so is SO Tech, LBT, and a bunch of other companies. So i expanded my horizons.

Farmboy,
I'd try on the Callahan if i could. Believe me. But the nearest game where someone actually owns one is about 3 hours away. Beign 15 years old, i don't have a way of getting there until i'm 16 (probably older since i don't care to drive 3 hours until i'm more experienced). Everyone around where i play doesn't appreciate high quality gear (save for a few people and teams). However, i'll have the chance to try on the Eagle Plate Carrier w/Cummerbund at the next game.

Any more advice would be greatly appreciated. Still having trouble deciding :roll:

[bruce]

The Callahan/Tomcat version still holds only 6 mags internally. If you try to save your money for this, maybe you'll gain enough weight in the next few months to fit it. ;-)

[Trixter]

Originally Posted by bruce

The Callahan/Tomcat version still holds only 6 mags internally. If you try to save your money for this, maybe you'll gain enough weight in the next few months to fit it. ;-)

Hahaha, good point. The Callahan/Tomcat version is $330 and i have approximately $150. So i'm just about halfway there. Getting a job soon, so i need to beef up quickly :cheers:

[Hannibal]

I have a Callahan - it's excellent, but you'll need to add utility/pistol mag pouches to it for it to really function as a good all-round rig (these things add up fast). Also, I'd highly reccommend plastic SAPI plates to make it ride correctly. I have the pitol insert, which is amazing for my little glock 19, but I wouldn't want to put a pistol with many snags or much bigger in it. this thing is perfect for me, but I'm 6'2", 220lbs, the plates (at 1.25" or so) make it fit a bit smaller though if you're a skinny dude. Last plug - Dave Thomas at So-Tech is a really nice dude, if you have a question, call him up and ask him what he thinks.

[Trixter]

Thanks for the help. I plan on adding 2 or 3 triple M16 Mag pouches, 1 utility pouch, 1 small utility pouch (for my radio), and whatever other pouches i'll need in the future. I'll definitely look into the plastic SAPI plates.

Another question: Is it difficult to utilize belt rigs with the Callahan? Example: Belt mounted mag dump or holster (mainly the mag dump).

[bruce]

No way Trix. You should not have any problems with belt mounted gears. The Callahan was developed from feedback from SF personnel that wanted a smaller, less restrictive and more versatile vest. The Callahan rides higher than a issued vest. Drivers and mechanized infantry wanted a vest that did not float into their chins when they were sitting down.

[firemachine69]

Not quite 40" chest, 32" waist, 5'9", about 150 pounds.

I'm almost ready to get some gear custom-fitted to me...

I found a novel, yet very functional solution. Real lvl2 soft armour. I just have to suck it up, and wait a few more paychecks before I go off ordering it.

[Trixter]

Is there any particular reason, besides the ability to hold different mags, to get the Tomcat version over the Hellcat version of the Callahan? I don't think i'll be getting any guns that would require 7.62 pouches.

[Eddie]

I personally just picked up a Eagle Plate Carrier w/cummerbund couldn't afford the Eagle CIRAS's $600+ price tag. Its a good plate carrier the shoulder pads could use some more cusioning.