Critique my BATTLE RATTLE, Version 20... PIC HEAVY!

[Rmplstlskn]

One of the most difficult things in SURVIVALISM to figure out and configure, for me, is survivalist-oriented battle gear. Mainly because there is a lot of options out there, and everyone has different needs, so there is no definative method. Then there are short-term and long-term scenarios to consider, with each having its own focus and requirements.

So I present THIS VERSION of my "general, all-around" FIRST LINE of battle rattle... Please critique at will.

Tactical Tailor MAV with X-Harness & 3L hydration pack.








SA XDM pistol in .40 S&W / GPS / Leatherman / CAT tourniquet


IFAK (not my ideal, but only one that would fit) / 8x Binoculars / Weapon oil & misc survival tools


Insulated 3L Hydration Carrier (I wish it had MOLLE strips for my larger IFAK)

[Jerry D Young]

Looks pretty good to me. Almost missed the water bladder hose. Can't tell from the picture. The IFAK looks a little light. Do you have a trauma bandage in it?

Question: What is the black object in the right most 5.56 mag pouch?

[Rmplstlskn]

The IFAK looks a little light. Do you have a trauma bandage in it?

Question: What is the black object in the right most 5.56 mag pouch?

Good observation! Yes, the IFAK is light as I have been unable to figure out how to use my primary kit due to its size and that it hinders the sling of my carbine and going to secondary weapon, the pistol... The black object in the pouch is a CAT tourniquet as that is the only place I could find to put it securely.

Here is a pic of the IFAK kit I just took off and wish I could figure out where to put it without it being in the way... Notice how thick it is... Any suggestions on where to put it?
TT IFAK with rip-off panel:




Rmpl

[Bourbon]

The IFAK looks a little light. Do you have a trauma bandage in it?

I was thinking that as well.
You should carry a tube of triple antibiotic; don't let little things get big.

[Jerry D Young]

I would suggest a chest harness for the binoculars and put the larger med kit where the small med kit and the binocular case is. Just a thought.

[Rmplstlskn]

I would suggest a chest harness for the binoculars and put the larger med kit where the small med kit and the binocular case is. Just a thought.

That's where I initially had it but since it is about 5" thick it would always catch, trap and otherwise hinder the carbine sling going to the front of the weapon. I tried getting it to work there but it puts the reliable access to my carbine at risk, so it had to go.

Like I said weeks earlier in another post about PAW videos, setting up web gear is the most frustrating thing... And the only way to see if an idea works is to BUY STUFF, and this stuff is NOT CHEAP! Then you go through the endless buy, then sell on forums, so you can buy and try something else... This is why I jokingly said this one was "Version 20." LOL!

Rmpl

[Klayton]

Rmpl can you give a break down list of what's in your first aid pack?
=)

[protus]

That's where I initially had it but since it is about 5" thick it would always catch, trap and otherwise hinder the carbine sling going to the front of the weapon. I tried getting it to work there but it puts the reliable access to my carbine at risk, so it had to go.

Like I said weeks earlier in another post about PAW videos, setting up web gear is the most frustrating thing... And the only way to see if an idea works is to BUY STUFF, and this stuff is NOT CHEAP! Then you go through the endless buy, then sell on forums, so you can buy and try something else... This is why I jokingly said this one was "Version 20." LOL!

Rmpl

Take this as you may.....

dump the bi-noc. carry a small monocular.
up grade your IFAK.
CAT,izzy,gauzegloves, etc. and small booboo stuff( mole skin, triple anti etc)
put the multitool in your pocket.
gps on your shoulder if need be( or the CAT via rubber bands) . or move the gps/multi tool pouch to the front of the rifle mags.
this leaves you room near your pistol for ??anything. extra FAK, small sustainment pouch for survival /monocolurs etc.
move sidearm to belt rig?
just ideas.


the more you use the kit the more you;ll move stuff around to work for you. I have changed my set up on my warlord 4 times already. some of the changes arent major, some were.
I want a mav but dont like the hydro set up.

[Hawkeye]

I am a huge MAV fan and have been for years now. My $.02.... yours looks a little overloaded. I would move the handgun and its mags, to a belt setup, along with a few other items. This will better distribute the weight/bulk some. Also, if for some reason you have to ditch the chest rig, you'll hopefully still have your belt load with your handgun and such. As Protus said though, make it work for you.

[Rmplstlskn]

Take this as you may.....

dump the bi-noc. carry a small monocular.
up grade your IFAK.
CAT,izzy,gauzegloves, etc. and small booboo stuff( mole skin, triple anti etc)
put the multitool in your pocket.
gps on your shoulder if need be( or the CAT via rubber bands) . or move the gps/multi tool pouch to the front of the rifle mags.
this leaves you room near your pistol for ??anything. extra FAK, small sustainment pouch for survival /monocolurs etc.
move sidearm to belt rig?

I will re-look at these things you mention... and some comments:
binos: I don't have a good mono yet, so I was putting into play what I have. As $$$ allows I will go that route.
IFAK: Yes, I need to figure out something, which is why I posted it here. The small one is not adequate.
GPS/Leatherman: Good idea about the shoulder for GPS. GPS on front will crush it on my first prone dive... I will look again how to re-order the layout...

Now, for my biggest hassle...
Belt rig: Because I have some jelly rolls on my gut a belt rig full of weighty things like pistols, mags, etc... causes the belt to slip down in action and running, then pulling my pants down with it, so i look like a tactical gangsta running while trying to hold up my pants... ghetto style. LOL! The only belt rig that will possibly work for me (until I loose weight and regain a narrow waist to hang it on) is one that ATTACHES to my CHEST RIG. And the TT MAV has no way to hang a combat belt without custom sewing (almost bought a old industrial Singer sewing machine to use to modify my nylon gear the way I want, but I lost the auction) or using PARACORD loops.

And I don't have the $$$ to go out and buy a whole new rig that has this feature... I have even toyed with trying to get the old-school USGI combat vest to work for me since it has the ability to attach a combat belt to it, but i HATE the mag pouches on that vest, and there is no moving them and no MOLLE for adding stuff. So basically I have what I have and I need to make the best of it, which is why the pistol is on the chest harness and I don't have a combat belt. I could just put the pistol into a belt holster, but I was trying to keep it all together on the MAV...

Rmpl

[Rmplstlskn]

I want a mav but dont like the hydro set up.

Yes, the hydration pack is an enigma! On the TT X-Harness (very comfy I might add), the hydration pack only attaches to the X-Harness at the top MOLLE on the pouch. The bottom MOLLE on the pouch is UNATTACHED to anything... I just bounces around, especially with water in it... To fix that I use a paracord loop to the bottom MOLLE of the pouch that the waist strap runs through. It helps stop the bounce some but very rinky-dink... But I suck down water and I NEED the hydration pouch somewhere...

Basically, I have found NOTHING that does what I want for MY BODY TYPE... Maybe that should tell me something about my body type... But it is what it is and I need to make the best of it, rather than give up until one day I get thinner...

Rmpl

[Rmplstlskn]

I am a huge MAV fan and have been for years now. My $.02.... yours looks a little overloaded. I would move the handgun and its mags, to a belt setup, along with a few other items. This will better distribute the weight/bulk some. Also, if for some reason you have to ditch the chest rig, you'll hopefully still have your belt load with your handgun and such. As Protus said though, make it work for you.

Yes, the TT MAV and X-Harness is the most comfortable rig I have used yet...

As for the combat belt, see my post above. HSGI has a padded belt I really like but I just haven't had the spare cash to buy it yet. Plus, I still run into the problem of keeping it up and not having it slide down on me. Some wide nylon web suspenders attached to the HSGI belt would work, ones that are simple with no fancy buckles, just flat, that I could then put the TT MAV over top of it, but I have found no one that makes such a thing... The simple, flat suspenders I have seen are just for PANTS and use elastic cord at the pant loops. Elastic on a combat belt would not work...

Welcome to the tactical gear hell I call home...

Rmpl

[610Alpha]

Keep looking for that industrial sewing machine and make your own. Once you get one that works pretty well for your body type you can probably make a side business out of it....just a thought. I am sure there are others out there that have the same issue.

[Grand58742]

I agree with the others, your FAK needs some work.

And like Protus said, drop the binos. If you insist on carrying them, it should be a BOB item more than a first or second line gear item. If you have smaller items in that same pouch, consider one of the smaller Tac Tailor utility pouches like the 1V or the E & E Vertical.

The CAT needs a new home. The first time you go for that particular mag under pressure, you are likely to yank it out with the mag.

Weight savings, I would say drop the large beaner and go with a grim-loc or one of the plastic S biners. Depends on your load, they can handle up to 20-40 pounds.

Are comms a part of your planned kit?

And another question. Does that pistol not ride too high for an efficient draw? I know the MAV tends to ride a little higher than a standard LBE type. Does this placement inhibit or slow your draw?

And obvious missing/improvements (at least what I would consider essential for 1 or 2 line gear): Illumination, cover for drinking tube, emergency bandage(s), back up navigation (small compass), improved IFAK (everyone kind of beat this one up), possibly drop the multi purpose pouch and go with something smaller, maybe addition of some energy bars. It's a fighting load, I know, but get energy when you can.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

[Hawkeye]

Yes, the TT MAV and X-Harness is the most comfortable rig I have used yet...

As for the combat belt, see my post above. HSGI has a padded belt I really like but I just haven't had the spare cash to buy it yet. Plus, I still run into the problem of keeping it up and not having it slide down on me. Some wide nylon web suspenders attached to the HSGI belt would work, ones that are simple with no fancy buckles, just flat, that I could then put the TT MAV over top of it, but I have found no one that makes such a thing... The simple, flat suspenders I have seen are just for PANTS and use elastic cord at the pant loops. Elastic on a combat belt would not work...

Welcome to the tactical gear hell I call home...

Rmpl

High Speed Gear, Emdom, Blue Force Gear, and ATS all make good suspenders that work with most any padded molle type belt, and are all mde to work under your main rig.