Vests/Chest rigs

[motoman]

Who here has experience with the tactical style vests and/or chest rigs? I continually try to improve my bugout gear and bugout plan in case of a major emergency or bugout situation. I got to thinking the other night, "what good does my ammo do for me if it's not easily accessible and easily able to be carried. Which brings me to a tactical style vest/chest rig. If I'm grabbing a rifle for any reason, I'm going to need ammo, and if I'm traveling, I'd like to have ammo on my person in addition to what's in my ammo box. Seems like a vest would come in handy.

I have no experience with these, nor do I know what are the reputable companies are. I know there's a ton of airsoft shit out there, some that's expensive airsoft shit, which I'm not interested.

I do like the idea of using a MOLLE vest because you can customize a load out any way you like and if you rip a pocket you, it's easily replaceable.

I'm sure a quality vest/rig is going to run $300-$400+, which is fine. I thought about a plate carrier but I know plates are hard for civilians to get, so that's not of great importance.

Any suggestions for brands to look into?

[inline 6]

I am interested as well but jesus do not wear it out of the house unless there is major shit going down or you just want to get laughed out of the building.

[BMCSean]

I'll be at my computer soon and I'll post up what I have used and liked.

[whitetrash]

I have a setup from army navy that works pretty well. Comfortable and adjustable. I think it was only about 50 bucks

[futant]

for 300-400 bucks you should be able to buy a quality load out vest and ar500 plates.
you need to reassess your priorities.
if you are taking out rifle , mags ,etc ..........you're not going to wear any armor?
if you stick to those steel cheaper ar500 plates, you should be able to find them avail for a decent price range. Sure it might take a while to get backordered due to the current hysteria
there is another thread on those plates somewhere here

[War Machine]

I am interested as well but jesus do not wear it out of the house unless there is major shit going down or you just want to get laughed out of the building.

lol no shit. If I saw someone walking around with that shit on, I'd fucking laugh my ass off. Dont be confused tho, I wont be laughing at them. They'd clearly be crazy and I dont want to be murdered.

[BMCSean]

I have always liked Blackhawk for pretty much everything when it comes to tac gear. I have never had any of there stuff fail, or had any problems with their quality. I have had/or have their holsters, bags, vests, slings, and harnesses.

MOLLE is the way to go since it will let you customize positioning to what is comfortable to you. If you get a harness type rig you can put it over any armor you are wearing, the vest will be more comfortable without armor.

Vest:

http://www.galls.com/cgi/CGBCSTYL?PMSTYL=TE281

Harness:

http://www.galls.com/cgi/CGBCSTYL?PMSTYL=ZQ112

or

http://www.shopholsters.com/blackhawk-strike-gen4molle-systemlbeharness.html

There are more variations on both but that should give you the general idea.

[David]

Plates are easy to come by.

That being said I have a condor plate carrier. It cost $60 my plates were another $300. Is the condor carrier the best? Probably not, but it has all the features that the big priced ones do. Some of the webbing is spaced inappropriately, but I can sew so it wasn't a worry and even then want to big of a deal.

To me a plate carrier just shouldn't be a $1k item.

[Denny]

I've had several different brands and like the durability of Point Blank the best. Granted, you'll pay for it, but not in my situation. David said it best. Get a fairly decent priced one that you're comfortable with and sew, sew, sew...

[motoman]

Plates are easy to come by.

That being said I have a condor plate carrier. It cost $60 my plates were another $300. Is the condor carrier the best? Probably not, but it has all the features that the big priced ones do. Some of the webbing is spaced inappropriately, but I can sew so it wasn't a worry and even then want to big of a deal.

To me a plate carrier just shouldn't be a $1k item.

What kind of plates are you using and where did you get them? PM me if need be.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

[David]

ESAPI and gun show.

[exlude]

You got esapi for 300?

[gat0r]

look here for 2 diff places to start

http://www.dfwmustangs.net/forums/showthread.php?t=43670&highlight=plate

[KBScobravert]

We have been cycling out ESAPI plates and liners for Interceptor Point Blank vests like crazy................in accordance with DOS. I need to find out where they are going. If you find ESAPI plates look them over real well. Check for indications of them being handled rough, banged around or dropped. Even in worse than new condition, they are better than ar500 plates.

Eagle makes great stuff. I have their breakaway carrier. It is not ideal in the sense I note below but when I used it and needed it it was exactly what worked in my situations.

Condor has somehow gotten an airsoft rep. Not sure why, they make great stuff and a lot of people in know use their stuff everyday while keepin it real.

Tactical Taylor is a great company with many many solutions.

I am looking for a THIN concealable soft armor carrier, a plate carrier with nothing on it and a throw over and snap in chest rig. I think modular and being able to drop or add preassembled kit is the best way to go. Having a one sided solution to your situation is not a best laid plan of action. Have the ability to wear soft armor under a shirt, maybe even your carrier but have an option to throw over your body your actual load out. A good solid gear bag is also a huge plus.

Don't forget IFAK in your kit.

[Brandon-k]

Check out High Speed Gear or Tactical Tailor. Both have great gear. I have the older style Wasatch from HSGI and I love the shit out of it.