Contras Gear Guide: Paraclete RAV (56K pwnage)

[Groombug]

So I was prepping my gear for the new season… and I decided to do a gear guide while I was at it.

This guide may help those struggling to put together MOLLE set-ups and are boggled by the amount of choice and variety in pouches and configurations out there.

This guide is not meant to be a strict manifesto on MOLLE gear. Rather, it is designed to help MOLLE users and also give those considering MOLLE some insight into how this modular system works and its almost endless combinations and capabilities. The modular vest and its derivatives – chest rigs, chest harness, LBV, etc. – are what is commonly referred to as your ‘second line’. That is to say, this rig carries the supplies and things necessary to execute the main fight: magazines, water, ammo, and other necessities.

* * * * *

Let us begin with a base rig. For the purpose of this guide, we will use a Paraclete Releasable Assault Vest (RAV). While it is a bit on the expensive side and comes with several features not commonly found on other modular rigs, we will use it insofar as it serves as a modular vest.





The Paraclete RAV features a four-piece, single-cord releasable ‘quick-ditch’ pull-pillow that allows the user to completely detach the vest in emergency. The RAV also features a full wrap-around cummerbund for added MOLLE real estate.



The back features a full-length detachable back panel and dual hydro/comms guide loops on the shoulders. The detachable panel can act as a hydration carrier capable of holding a Camelbak 3L bladder.



Here is the rig laid out. Note the detachable back panel, the cummerbund, and front Velcro pile patch. As you can see, lots of PALS channels, more than most can comfortably use for airsoft.



The RAV also supports hard and soft armour capability. For the purpose of this guide, we will use some replica SAPI plates to illustrate the armour-carrying feature. A common problem with most armour carrier rigs is that they are meant to be worn with plates and sag or deform significantly if not.




The armour plates are inserted into plate pouches inside the two body sections of the RAV. Front and back are the same and the plates are basically interchangeable. It is suggested that you try the rig on and get a feel for the curvature of the plates, adjusting height and girth so the curvature fits your back and chest.

That’s the RAV in a nutshell. The rig is rather simple and straightforward. What we must focus on now is the stuff that will go on the rig – the plethora of MOLLE pouches and other assorted goodies that help you carry the battle.

* * * * *

First and foremost, you will need water. Hydration is key, especially in the summer months and absolutely crucial for milsims. You can’t fight if you can’t sweat or piss properly, so think water above all.



Featured here is a Paraclete hydration pouch and a Camelbak Omega 3L bladder with Hydralok drinking tube and a bite valve cover. The 3L reservoir should be more than enough for most skirmish days. The drinking tube features dual quick-detach at the bladder and bite valve points, making it a breeze to clean or replace. The bite valve cover is a great way to keep you from sucking mud and other undesirables after a long crawl on your belly.





Next, you will need to carry your main weapon magazines. There are a gazillion ways to carry your pouches, so I will only go over a small assortment. From top to bottom: Paraclete single M4/M16 pouches (holds 2 magazines each total), Paraclete double M4/M16 pouch (holds 4 magazines total), Paraclete TX-M4 pouch (open-topped, holds 3 magazines total), and Paraclete TX-II pouch (open-topped, holds 3 M16 magazines plus 3 single- or double-stack pistol magazines). There are many, many other options out there, so do not take this selection to be a definitive “best-of” list.



If you choose to carry a sidearm as well, you may wish to carry extra pistol magazines on your second line. Your pouch selection will vary dependent on your pistol choice and how many magazines you want to carry. Featured here is a BHI STRIKE single pistol magazine pouch. Again, there are many, many other options out there, from single pouches to quadruple pouches, to the combination primary/secondary pouches like the TX-II above.






After magazines, you may wish to carry extra gas and/or batteries as well as loose ammo. There are a multitude of general purpose (GP) utility pouches out there bound to fit your specific needs. Featured here are the Paraclete small GP pouch, Paraclete upright GP pouch, and a SoTech CIMP medical pouch. Some GP pouches feature additional PALS channels and come in various thicknesses, allowing for stacking or the attachment of other pouches. Specifically-designed medical pouches are useful for designated medics who need to carry real supplies on the field or for players assigned a medic role in a game and want to feel the part. Loading up actual medical supplies is optional.




There are also completely optional pouches and accessories, including radio pouches and integrated rig-slings. Featured here are the Paraclete MBITR radio pouch with Motorola Saber II and a Blue Force Gear Modular Vest Strap (MVS) single-point integrated sling. The MBITR is a personal team requirement – there are other pouches out there that are designed to carry the smaller GPRS radios. The sling is also an option. I personally chose an integrated one-point sling because of the weight of my primary weapon and the integrated rig feature saves me the trouble of having to take a sling off before taking the rig off, and vice versa.



Remember the weird patch of pile velcro on the front of the RAV? This is how the cummerbund attaches to the rig. For those who need to carry more mags or have additional stuff to hang in the front, one can utilize the pile velcro to carry mags as well. While not MOLLE, this Custom Tactical Creations (CTC) 4-mag panel features a back of hook velcro for attaching to the rig front, and pile velcro on the front to hold the cummerbund. Indeed, with this panel installed, the cummerbund feels more secure and sturdier. However, the added stuff under the cummerbund means the rig fattens forward, giving you more girth. Again, this is a personal choice.

* * * * *

Now comes the real fun – putting all those pouches on to the rig. Because of the modularity, you may want to thread only the first PALS channel for each pouch to get an overall impression of how the rig looks and where all the pouches will be when you’re wearing it. Adjust according to your preference. Once you have your final set-up in mind, then go ahead and fully thread all the pouches on. As you play your first game with this new set-up, pay attention to what works and what doesn’t work for your pouch placement. Adjust accordingly after the game and test again next time.

For the purpose of this guide, I will load up the RAV to the tits to show you not only how many pouches it can hold but also how easy it is to go overboard with pouches and end up with an ineffective rig and an ineffective player.



Hydration carrier with 3L bladder.



Front magazine cluster: CTC panel under cummerbund, TX-II on the left, double Paraclete M4/M16 on the right.



Upright GP pouch with medical supplies (can also be used for batteries, ammo, and gas) and a BHI STRIKE single pistol mag pouch on the right. Notice also the MBITR radio pouch mounted under the cummerbund.



SoTech CIMP medical pouch with medical supplies (can also be used for batteries, ammo, and gas).



Blue Force Gear MVS sling, hydration tube routed through shoulder guide, and radio handmike. Notice the Grimlok D-ring used to help route the long hydro tube and the RAV cutaway pillow on the right.



Here is the finished RAV. Since I’m left-handed, the left shoulder is left clear with mags oriented for a right-hand reload.



So what can it carry? Everything that’s laid out here plus three liters of water!
- 9 primary magazines, expandable to 11 ready magazines and 5 more stored in upright GP (airsoft magazines are fatter than real steel… each ‘double’ pouch can comfortably fit one mag, or two if you really push it in)
- up to 4 secondary magazines or a mix of magazines and BB loaders
- assortment of medical supplies
- Radio
- Primary weapon

* * * * *

Remember the ‘second line’ concept earlier? There’s also a ‘first line’ – the bare essentials that allow you to fight for a short capacity to disengage and survive. Notice there is no provision for a pistol on my RAV. There are MOLLE holsters available that will allow you to carry your pistol on your main rig – but why put all your eggs in one basket? Spread the wealth around… and more importantly, spread the weight around. While we’re at it, we might as well do a ‘first line’ guide too.



For my first line, I chose an Eagle duty belt reinforced with an Eagle padded belt adaptor for comfort. To carry my pistol, I chose an Eagle SAS Mk. V holster and a SOE subload to carry a few mags. The small pouch you notice on the right is a Maxpedition Rollypolly dump pouch in its folded form. Dump pouches are optional, and can go anywhere. Personal preference will dictate where you put yours, if you indeed need one. Attached to my pistol is a Gemtech pistol retention lanyard. Lanyards are also optional. I chose one because of my fear of losing pistols on the field. To support all this weight on my hips and legs, I have also added HSGI ‘High-Speed, Low-Drag’ (HSLD) suspenders. These keep my holster from sagging or my subload from pulling my pants down. In total, my first line can carry:
- Secondary weapon
- Up to 3 secondary magazines
- Up to 4 primary magazines
- Has additional space at the back for a buttpack if necessary
- The subload can also carry small packages of food or water in one of its two main compartments.




These two pictures show the amount of stuff I’d be wearing if I chose to put everything on. As you can see, it gets bulky and is extremely taxing when the weight is combined with hot summer weather. This doesn’t even include my primary weapon yet!

* * * * *

When choosing MOLLE rigs and pouches, be sure to consider weight and necessity. Instead of exploiting your rig’s amount of real estate, consider what you need to carry first. Yes, your rig can undoubtedly carry 20 mags… but do you really need them? At the same time, only carry ammo, batteries and gas if you need to. If you already have a monster battery in your gun that has never died on the field, why bother bringing a second monster battery? If you find yourself rarely using your pistol, why bring the extra gas? If you already have a lot of ammo in mags and more in BB loaders, do you really need to bring a loose bag?

Lastly, you don’t have to stick to any particular gear brand. My guide was predominantly Paraclete because that’s what I had lying around. You may find that one particular brand suits you better or you can pick and choose between brands for different pouches. The selection is almost endless.

I hope you’ve found this guide useful in unraveling the mystery that is MOLLE gear. Questions, comments and concerns about anything displayed here are welcome. Post here or PM, I will respond accordingly.



EDIT:

Additional pics by request:

[Iceman]

Quite the guide Groom, excellent read as always.

One question, considering you do not use a third line(backpack or whats not), you got space for food on there somewhere?

[Groombug]

I can carry food in the GP pouch or add additional pouches where necessary. I can also carry food in one of the two SOE subload magazine compartments. If necessary I can also carry food in my BDU pockets. Granola bars and the like... no salads or steaks here.

For a backpack third line I unzip the back panel and put the hydro in the pack.

[Brakoo]

Really nice guide as already pointed out by my teammate. As for food I pretty much do the same when it's for shorter games, I go for less mags and use one of the mag pouch for some granola bar and such.

[Iceman]

Yeah, just though about this... is this the real Paraclete or a guarder Repro? (hope its not too insulting a question).

[Groombug]

Originally Posted by Iceman

Yeah, just though about this... is this the real Paraclete or a guarder Repro? (hope its not too insulting a question).

Reasonable question.

It's a real Paraclete RAV, albeit an older version.

With reference to the first pic in my thread (the Paraclete tag), you know your gear is old when an acclaimed gearmaker still lists a contact e-mail hosted by AOL.

If you compare my RAV to newer ones, say... Freedom Fighter's... mine lacks several minute improvements. Like a v.1.0 and a later v. 3.4 debugged.

[hammer]

Hey, some of that stuff looks familiar Great pics bud. The set up looks good!

[Groombug]

Originally Posted by hammer

Hey, some of that stuff looks familiar Great pics bud. The set up looks good!

Couldn't have finished the rig without your help man. Many thanks!

[ILLusion]

I like how tight your bum looks in those pictures... it makes me hard.

[ILLusion]

Ernest, you really have to put a black square over your bum.

Cuz seriously... every time I see that picture, I just want to touch myself.

[ravan318]

HAHAHA illusion u're so creepy

and thx ernest
i have a green rav like u do
how u've put ur stuff together showed me potential places i can attach pouches, though in fact with a rav u can attach so much u become immune to rpgs

oh yea also to add a remark to ernest's thread...the user should also pay attention to how much they add and the ventilation of their rig..cuz when i put on my rav my back begins to sweat (esp right after i attach the cumberband inside)