Integrated Mag Pouches on MOLLE Vest

[Oborous]

Hiya All,

I'm looking for comments on the anything with the integrated magazine pouches but still lots of MOLLE (i.e. Wasatch, Gladiator, Boar). I'm looking for why you've moved away from it or why you're still running with it.

I'm currently running a CIRAS rig, and before that a freebie tactical vest with fixed pockets. The CIRAS just annoys me, as it's a knock-off with the 6 rows of MOLLE (I am definitely an XL), plus the closure just isn't good enough on the knock off for me (maybe bad batch of velcro, or just cheap velcro). I have a 'toaster' style dump pouch on a thigh rig (left), and am trying to source a Level-3 Serpa for my 1911 clone for right leg (preferably with pistol mag on the right leg also)

So, I'm looking at something with integrated STANAG Mag pouches (aka M16, M4), preferably with Bungee retention. I'll need to carry a hydration carrier (Either Gerber's semi-rigid or Platypus's), radio pouch, and a kill rag pouch. I need to be able to drop prone easily and comfortably.

A search of the forums came up with the "go for it" or "I like my Wasatch"... I'm trying to find out why you like it, hence the "if you had it an moved away from it, why you got rid of it.

I've been looking at the Wasatch, with the enhanced shoulder pads and the double magazine Bungee system

Also the Gladiator Chest Rig

The EssTac Boar looks promising (please use the link provided, their website is under construction)

The Falcon Chest rig is nice, but I'm not sure of the buckles on the shoulders

Are there any other integrated mag pouch chest-rigs or plate/armor carriers out there? And why do you like them?

[Jimski]

I use a chest rig with bungee retentions much like the gladiator, it's definitely my favourite setup.
I moved away from the tac vest with fixed pouches but I will keep my chest rig.

I also use a belt-mounted canadian made TRE dump pouch, it's the biggest and best dump pouch I have ever owned.

[Oborous]

Originally Posted by Jimski

I use a chest rig with bungee retentions much like the gladiator, it's definitely my favourite setup.
I moved away from the tac vest with fixed pouches but I will keep my chest rig.

I also use a belt-mounted canadian made TRE dump pouch, it's the biggest and best dump pouch I have ever owned.

Do you have a link to your specific chest rig? Do you have a link for your dump pouch? (I've got a Dropzone Toaster, and going to go with a folding secondary dump pouch (evidence bag) for when I go over 7 mags used before respawn)

[Jimski]

http://www.uncompany.com/

uncompany chest rig knockoff, strangely the quality is pretty good.
I don't know if it's exactly molle compliant, but the way it's made makes it very usable.
I'm very satisfied with this thing so far.


the dump pouch is handmade, I'll try to find the coordinates of the guy, it was through a friend...

[TCLP]

I like the wasatch I have.

Pros:
Lighter than a plate carrier
More modular than a tac vest
load sits nicely on hips
Has a Hydration Pack on back and that has more molle, good for a but pack.
Has internal map pouches
If you take out the bungee retention you can hold 6 G36 mags in it.


Cons:
Once pouches are added in front it can get bulky
Not as much molle as a plate carrier
No integrated belt retention system

That's a copy of the Blackhawk Enhanced Strike Recon Chest Harness, except that the mag storage is on the outside as opposed to the inside. Makes the concept of integrated mag storage useless, frankly, as the intention is to free up the outer realestate for more shiny bits.

[Drake]

I kinda like the BHI Enhanced STRIKE Recon Chest Harness. Their regular STRIKE RCH is basically a knockoff of the RRV. You can attach a rear plate carrier from the STRIKE Gen4 Plate Carrier (BHI's take on the Allied Industries MBSS) to get a full plate setup. You can use it in conjunction with a PACA, Marine Force Recon style, if you want soft armor.

Another option is the SOTech Callahan. The actual setup is a plate carrier with a MOLLE chest harness that can be integrated (they can also be worn alone, separately).

Depending on what you plan on mounting on it, you could also just use mag shingles; for small things like pistol mags or a radio they're fine.

As for going prone comfortably... that's pretty debatable. If you're using hard plates, there's going to be a level of awkwardness, but it will also prevent mags from digging into your ribs and abdomen. If getting and staying small is really a critical issue (greensiding) you may want to travel lighter, move mags to a chest rig and maybe run a MOLLE belt.

[Oborous]

Originally Posted by TCLP

I like the wasatch I have.

Is your Wasatch a clone, if so which one? Why did you pick that one compared to real or other clones/replicas

[Lakonian]

HSGI Weesatch.

It's a great rig. Very high speed.

[Oborous]

Originally Posted by Drake

As for going prone comfortably... that's pretty debatable. If you're using hard plates, there's going to be a level of awkwardness, but it will also prevent mags from digging into your ribs and abdomen. If getting and staying small is really a critical issue (greensiding) you may want to travel lighter, move mags to a chest rig and maybe run a MOLLE belt.

I'm not familiar with the term Greensiding, please elaborate...

[zone 69]

This is the wasatch I picked up ::http://www.airsoftcanada.com/showthread.php?t=49762

Can be ran as a chest rig by removing back
Can hold many types of mags
Has plenty of web/molle for extra pouches
Has two inside netted side pockets
Has internal map pouch in bib
Can hold Hydration Pack in the back insted of a plate
Bib can be folded down if not in use holding a plate.
Has A+ tacticool

[Drake]

Originally Posted by Oborous

I'm not familiar with the term Greensiding, please elaborate...

Greensiding... as in "Greenside" (as opposde to "Blackside").

Greenside Ops are typically "deep reconnaissance" type missions (the specifics of which will vary depending on the branch performing it); stealth is the name of this game. e.g., various recon, forward observation, damage assessment, etc. where contact with the enemy is avoided.

Blackside Ops are Direct Action missions and are typically the setups we see in pictures. Full armor, lots of weapons and even more ammo. Being small and stealthy isn't as much of a concern as being fast and packing a whopper of a punch.


So to go back to the topic at hand, if your goal is to make yourself stealthy, a DA type loadout isn't your best option. Less will be more in that case.

[Oborous]

Thanks for the definition.

What I'm trying to do is make myself thinner, in the fields around town there are some holes that I just can't fit through (I AM a big guy, both bones and fat) and if I could have a good, streamlined rig then I might be able squeeze through. (Especially that I catch the sides of the mag pouches on protrusions all the time, you really do see the difference in durability of Codura under those circumstances.

I figure the integrated pouch also save me on having to buy those pouches and I truly can have a modular vest. (I'm looking at getting a Modular Admin Pouch for the big field games where you've having to coordinate via grid on map for achieving objectives).

Originally Posted by Drake

Greensiding... as in "Greenside" (as opposde to "Blackside").

Greenside Ops are typically "deep reconnaissance" type missions (the specifics of which will vary depending on the branch performing it); stealth is the name of this game. e.g., various recon, forward observation, damage assessment, etc. where contact with the enemy is avoided.

Blackside Ops are Direct Action missions and are typically the setups we see in pictures. Full armor, lots of weapons and even more ammo. Being small and stealthy isn't as much of a concern as being fast and packing a whopper of a punch.


So to go back to the topic at hand, if your goal is to make yourself stealthy, a DA type loadout isn't your best option. Less will be more in that case.