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

[protus]

i run my pistol on a eagle drop leg thats attached to an OSOE cobra belt. To say i dont have any cough rolls cough in some spots would make me a liar LOL...I have yet to have it "slip" down.
I had a molle style ( think ats/ice etc) belt and it always seemed to "sag".
Like i said , you gotta play with some different ideas and areas to make it fit what you need.
I can tell you or any of these guys that it has tobe set up XYZ way.

as survivalist we think outside the box...if all we had to do was buy what looked cool and set it up as so..it'd all be alot easier right ;p ..

we'll try and help the best we can with "ideas" but you in the end need to do the leg work on it.

P

[Rmplstlskn]

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.

Thanks for the input, see pics of Version 21 next post.

Binos: The pouch that the binos are in is actually a multi-purpose pouch and fits well and works well the size it is. I could use this for holding a compass, energy bars, whatever... So the binos can go but I think I am going to keep the pouch where it is.

CAT: The CAT is actually in its own magazine pouch. If I need the space for more mags I can slip the CAT into the larger IFAK I now have on the MAV. It does not hinder the mag behind it at all...

The large carabiner is there for safety, hoisting, rope or rappelling use and could be used in conjuction with the Rigger Belt I wear on my pants. So a plastic one just won't do... I live in the mountain areas of VA and being able to safely do rope work is very possible. If in Florida, no need I guess.
Since this a Level-1 "survival-based" setup, I think the weight of the alloy carabiner is worth it.

Comms: Not that advanced yet... Just MURS radios in a BDU pocket...

Pistol height: It actually works pretty good there. Not as fast as a IWB/OWB holster for sure, but it is easy to get to and is very secure and out of my way when carbine is present.

Rmpl

[Rmplstlskn]

i run my pistol on a eagle drop leg thats attached to an OSOE cobra belt. To say i dont have any cough rolls cough in some spots would make me a liar LOL...I have yet to have it "slip" down.
I had a molle style ( think ats/ice etc) belt and it always seemed to "sag".

I should have mentioned that I use a TT Riggers Belt on my pants/BDU. As for drop legs, I think they work well for people with skinny legs, but I have legs like a linebacker, and most guys close to my size with drop legs seem to have issues with the leg strap pulling the pants leg material and bunching it up during action drills, let alone a long hike in the BFE... I forsee me getting an inside thigh rash quickly. But I have never tried one, so it may work. Just my observations of others... I'll ask around for one to borrow and try out...

MOLLE sag: Yep, which is why I think they need suspenders or a way to latch onto the chest rig X-Harness... Buying my own sewing machine is looking better all the time... I could just sew on my own straps and buckles to the MAV and X-Harness...

Rmpl

[Rmplstlskn]

Battle Rattle VERSION 21

Well, the reason I post this here rather than someplace like M4Carbine, is that this rig is SURVIVAL-based, not SWAT or CONTRACTOR-based for pure gunfights, so what better place than here?

I have taken all your comments into consideration and I now present Version 21 of my rig...

I moved the GPS to the left shoulder, the hydration tube to the right shoulder (not a hinderance to carbine buttstock). I added the large TT IFAK to the front right (notice the bulk, but as it wraps around me it doesn't cover up the other pouches as much as the pic shows). I moved the Leatherman inbetween the pouches on the left, out of the way.




Notice the BULK of the IFAK. It is on a rip-off panel if needed.




GPS is now on the shoulder. I think in the boonies a GPS is important.


Here is the detail contents of the larger IFAK...


With a CAT now added, the TK4 may be redundent...


The capsules are Tylenol w/codeine, for if I have to use this gear FOR REAL, I know I am going to be HURTING!

[protus]

I should have mentioned that I use a TT Riggers Belt on my pants/BDU. As for drop legs, I think they work well for people with skinny legs, but I have legs like a linebacker, and most guys close to my size with drop legs seem to have issues with the leg strap pulling the pants leg material and bunching it up during action drills, let alone a long hike in the BFE... I forsee me getting an inside thigh rash quickly. But I have never tried one, so it may work. Just my observations of others... I'll ask around for one to borrow and try out...

MOLLE sag: Yep, which is why I think they need suspenders or a way to latch onto the chest rig X-Harness... Buying my own sewing machine is looking better all the time... I could just sew on my own straps and buckles to the MAV and X-Harness...

Rmpl

again .. i aint small.....but anyone way bigger than me would run into some issues.....
I run the eagle with one strap( it came with two), set high in the crotch. Is it perfect for long humps? No. Is it good for semi static,semi mobile use. Yes.
Would i rather have a belt holster that will have a clear draw when using my warlord- yes.

here i am in my rattle........:P

[Matt In Oklahoma]

It looks as though you have placed alot of thought and time into it. Now it's time to wear it for at least a weeks outing if not more and see how it works and what becomes important to daily use. In other words it's way to clean and pretty to know if it's worth a darn :)

[Rmplstlskn]

here i am in my rattle........:P

Damn, P! You look like a young William Defoe (or whatever his name is)... LOL!

[protus]

striking isnt it LOL. ( it is will Defoe) like i said we'll give you 100 ideas ,but your the test bed and it;ll have to work for you and your needds.

[Rmplstlskn]

striking isnt it LOL. ( it is will Defoe) like i said we'll give you 100 ideas ,but your the test bed and it;ll have to work for you and your needds.

And your web gear is so.... retro 60's. OMG! Luv it...

Rmpl

[Bull]

Rmp, I'm just brainstorming but it looks like you have a couple of loops on either side of your hydration bladder. If you could find some basic straps or even 550 cord you might be able to run them through those loops making a criss-cross in the back and affix your IFAK or binoculars or something else to it. It might not hold real tight but maybe you can get creative. Or if you could buy or salvage a section of MOLLE from somewhere, you could make a kind of MOLLE patch you might be able to get secured back there to give you some more options. 550 cord securing it to the loops with velcro or some other means to stick it to the bladder carrier, or even sew it to there. Depending on how your rig fits, it might not be too uncomfortable to utilize the space on your back, while keeping your weapon and more immediate needs in the front. When I first started reading I was thinking drop down holster but then I read about your reluctance. I just bought that vest and harness with some mag holders online but I'm out of town so I haven't got to see it in person and start setting it up. I guess if you want to be able to run a pack on your back over the harness my idea won't help at all, but I hope it does.

[Davar]

My complaint with hydration bladders is that once the temps get to around 32 the hose freezes quite quickly. I'm not sure what climate you live in, but in CO we get freezes in mid june, and starting again in mid august!

Does anyone have any thoughts about GPS units being worthless in the PAW, or maybe even detremental?

Rmpl.. Keep in mind that your gear will get larger in the PAW, as you will get a little smaller :)

[Matt In Oklahoma]

My complaint with hydration bladders is that once the temps get to around 32 the hose freezes quite quickly. I'm not sure what climate you live in, but in CO we get freezes in mid june, and starting again in mid august! Does anyone have any thoughts about GPS units being worthless in the PAW, or maybe even detremental?

On the hydration bladders after you drink you have to get into the habit of blowing air back into the bladder. That does 2 things. #1 it keeps the water from being in the small tube and freezing up #2 it makes the bladder quiter on sloshing noise by filling it with aire in place of the fluids. It also keeps "padding" air in the baldder when you rest and lean on something.
The GPS will be a hit/miss depending on power supplies etc post PAW. Eventually without upkeep the satelites will fall and/or fail.

[Grand58742]

Does anyone have any thoughts about GPS units being worthless in the PAW, or maybe even detremental?

Not worthless as in fact it is an exceptional navigation tool. Even with the military encryption (during wartime), the commercial sets will still get you within the ballpark. Unless you have to have a precision spot measured in feet, the GPS is a good way to go in enhancing your ability to navigate.

Detrimental in the fact too many people depend on them entirely to get from point A to point B. When the batteries fail (and they will) and they are out in the deep dark woods (where they will end up) a lot of folks have no idea how to whip out a compass and figure out where they happen to be at because their

[Spock]

again .. i aint small.....but anyone way bigger than me would run into some issues.....
I run the eagle with one strap( it came with two), set high in the crotch. Is it perfect for long humps? No. Is it good for semi static,semi mobile use. Yes.
Would i rather have a belt holster that will have a clear draw when using my warlord- yes.

here i am in my rattle........:P

that ain't you...this is you:

[Matt In Oklahoma]

HAHAHAHHAHAHA NOW THATS FUNNY RIGHT THERE!!!!!!!!!