Tactical Nylon According to Diz

[Hawkeye]

Yes, hydration can be attached. I'll get back with you on what we were talking about.

[Diz]

Awesome posts guys. We're seeing some nice hybrid rigs here, for different levels of support. Going up from my truck gear, I carry a day or assault pack, which is either with me or in the truck at all times. I carry two more G-17 re-loads, a gunshot wound kit (aka blowout kit), a windshirt, a rain parka, spare socks, shorts, and shirt, folding cookstove with coffee and soup, water bottles, notebook, pen, flashlight, etc.

This is my first level kit which should last me 24 hours, at least, or get me back home, whichever comes first.

I haven't included any armor in this package as yet, but I'm working on something as we speak. Just a simple plate carrier design that will integrate with the grab n go style chest rig. BTW, the reason I went with a hybrid H harness on the chest rig straps is cuz this works best when worn over armor.

Now the next level up is what you guys have been illustrating, and that is a dedicated chest rig, like the TT MAV or Hawkeye's and my rigs. This is where you make the distinction between concealed carry for everyday low-threat scenarios and deliberate carry for higher threat scenarios. AT this point, I will be switching up to a OWB holster, in a low or drop carry position, so this gives me better options with my rifle gear. I can now carry more stuff, including a GSW kit, flashlight, leatherman, oil, etc., along with additional optics, hydration and nutrition. My choice for this level is a split-front chest rig with 4-6 mags, and either a "X" panel style shoulder harness, or a hybrid H harness. The reason I am leaning towards a hybrid H harness at this point is because I want a rig that can integrate with a plate carrier if required. By making the cross-piece adjustable, you can allow for the extra thickness of the armor, and adjust the shoulder straps to the right width to wrap inside your plate carrier shoulder pads. You can also run a day pack with this set up for extended range or to haul extra mission essential kit.

For missions lasting more than a few days or extended ranges, a good rucksack is required. If you run an internal frame with full hipbelt, then the first grab n go chest rig integrates nicely with it, as Hawkeye stated.

This isn't the perfect or by no means the only way to do it, but I found this system works pretty well for me.

Again, if you want to integrate armor with this, you have the choice of running the wholey integrated "Armor carrier" style rigs, or you can run separate soft or hard armor carriers that your regular kit is worn over. I prefer the last option because it gives me more options, especially for lower profile wear.

[Lowdown3]

We were at a distance rifle/DM type class one time. A guy from up north came out decked head to toe in ACU, was even wearing his armor. Another guy looked like he just crawled out of a Louisiana swamp. He wore jeans, t shirt and had an old pistol belt with what looked like an old Mauser 98 magazine pouch on it. The ACU guy started messing with the swamper about his gear etc.

A friend was with me and laughed about it. I said, "you watch Swampman is gonna shoot really well."

"How can you tell?" he asked. I told him to just wait.

Sure enough. But the ACU guy started doing well once we got further out 300 also.

It's nothing to see the "gear whore" types at classes and about 70% of the time, they are lacking in general skills. Before anyone jumps me, I said "70% of the time" I know also know some gear whores that know their stuff ;)

[stapler]

Fantastic thread!

I have been experimenting with my rigs in various classes the last couple of years, and thing I've stumbled on something that works well for me, and is entirely modular.

Starts with an ATS war belt I bought from Hawkeye, with a homemade Kydex pistol pouch and soft mag carriers (2x rifle, 2x pistol) and a dump pouch and blowout kit on the back. This is my bare bones belt, and could be concealed somewhat easily. It puts my handgun and rifle mags exactly in line with my CCW rigs, I just jump over the handgun mags if I need the rifle mags.

Then if stuff gets hairy, I use an SKD Tac chest rig in conjunction with the belt rig. Load the belt pouches from the chest rig.

If it goes seriously loud, rather than the SKD rig I use an Eagle plate carrier w/cummerbund, with pouches galore.

Just what works for me, for now. I'm not married to any of the gear outside of the ATS war belt, but if something better comes along I'd give that a shot, too.

[protus]

to keep things moving, below is one/some of my "old" get ups.



ill add more later.........needless to say i dont use those 2 very much at all anymore...just to heavy LOL

[snare]

Threads like this one are another reason I joined this forum.

All my thinking is in the prepared citizen context, for that is what I am. I will not be fighting like the military nor like law enforcement. Both of those groups are first just that, groups and large groups at that. (Yes, some leo departments are small, but generally have other departments that back them up, especially in planned operations). As a prepared citizen I may be in a group but it will be small, at best, and likely just one or two others.

Both of those groups also function with continuous resupply logistics in place. And I am not only talking about ammo resupply, but gear resupply. If something breaks or fails, they can get another. As a prepared citizen my gear choices reflect super long term durability, multi-functional/modular (if possible or appropriate) and field repairable.

And perhaps most importantly, but unfortunately rarely talked about is what the likely strategies and tactics of the prepared citizen will be. Not having the numbers, resupply, air support and much else that the military will have, the prepared citizen will not be fighting like them. Strategies and tactics for prepared citizens will look much more like those of the guerrilla, the partisan and the insurgent (g/p/i) than those of the military or leo.

And our gear choices should reflect this too.

Intelligence gathering will be paramount and patrols are one way to do so. An urban patrol may require being seen out in the open, but still the utmost discretion. This is also true in various stages of the myriad of possible TSHTF/TEOTWAWKI situations we may find. This is where the 'gray man' function may come into play.

I can easily foresee many situations where I may be away from home and should be getting back home forthwith. This would be likely in the initial stage(s). My normal CCW is with me, of course, but I may determine a rifle would be appropriate. For this I choose an over the shoulder fighting bag. It is not perfect to say the least. They can be uncomfortable to carry long distances (especially with 4 loaded mags in there) as they are doing a great job of 'breaking your structure' as is said in Systema, essentially we are talking about posture and efficient freedom of movement. But they along with a discreet carry bag for a rifle or the rifle discreetly carried in your GHB (folding stocks really help here) can provide for relatively easy access to a rifle. Some will opt for a chest rig in these discreet situations, but with my AO and the heat here during a significant portion of the year, I will be unable to cover the chest rig for discretion and remain cool.

Subsequently I have a chest rig as part of a plan for when discretion is no longer needed and for more rural patrolling.

My AO is perhaps unique in that we have the full spectrum from urban to suburban to semi-rural to rural to wilderness all within walking distance of each other.

I agree fully with the others thinking of a chest rig with 4 mags and resupply kept in my ruck (likely up to 4 more).
It would seem the tactics of the g/p/i are light and fast. Breaking off engagements as quick as possible as the larger forces are better at longer engagements. Stealth seems paramount. We will be low crawling through mud, heavy brush, water, and snow. For this I would prefer closed top mag pouches and a flapped holster.

As I study Systema, which has freedom of movement as one of its principles, I also think in terms of how my gear and it's placement will limit movement. This also parallels the concerns with quick, efficient, stealth movement in all environments mounted or dismounted, including urban/suburban, in and out of vehicles and buildings as well as rural/wild, with movement through all types of micro-terrain.