Armory Sponsor
Posted: 1/8/2012 6:10:19 PM EDT
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I've been looking at over a hundred pages of pics of plate carriers and how/what gear is arranged on them. I'm fairly new to them so I'll ask...how do you figure out what you NEED to carry and where on your PC to place that gear?
The reason I ask is because I see most people have 4-6 rifle mags/2-4 pistol mags (most front and center), an IFAK, and then some misc. gear ranging from patches to admin pouches to lights and so on. Rather than share my thoughts/opinion I'll just leave it at observations and questions. Please share the logic behind your load out. Thanks -Emt1581 |
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Here's a thread I made that explains a little of my plate carrier set up philosophy.
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_10/352395_My_Ultimate_Plate_Carrier__Shellback_.html Granted the initial set up was geared towards an infantryman's mission set. One of these days I'll post a comprehensive write up of some of my other gear and a pic heavy review but it will have to wait due to work. |
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The lighter the better. Armor (of course) Mags for primary & secondary Blow out kit (Simple items), Field stripped MRE (for down time) I'll stop there... Mags...those are what I'm most curious about. Other gear as well though but moreso position and the choice of gear itself. But mags....some have 2 some have 10. Everyone is different and some are preparing themselves for different threats/situations. This is where my curiosity of logic comes in. Personally I want light and compact. Thanks -Emt1581 |
My loadout is completely designed around what I need most often, and how quickly or desperately I'll need said Item.
My PIG setup with reasoning If I didn't have to carry so much stuff for my job I would run 4 mags, medkit, water and a dump pouch. I wear all my pistol gear on my belt in case I have to ditch my armor and still have to fight. SOS |
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I run 6 AR mags in the front, with 2 pistol mags to the left of them. Makes reloading simple and uncomplicated.
Left and right on the cummerbund I have two 200rnd SAW pouches, left has TK's, combat gauze and kerlix. Right has Ace wraps, Hyphen chest seal, two Needle D's, 2 NPA's, and more kerlix. Fighting is the priority, but I hate humping an aid bag if I can help it, so I carry as much first line medical gear on my vest as possible, within reason of course. No IV's or anything heavy, stop the bleeding and keep 'em breathing. |
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I have a belt with two rifle mags, dump pouch, two pistol mags, crossing to the right side an HSGI bleeder pouch with minimal med gear, 1911 holster, and a spare TACO pouch on my strong side for another mag or a small water bottle. The weight is fairly well balanced when fully loaded, and under 10 lbs IIRC. I don't use suspenders or a belt pad anymore, I found them to create more problems than they solved, and they limited mobility by binding up in weird ways at odd moments.
I also always have a couple of sets of earplugs and a set of shooting gloves stuffed in the dump pouch. I have a second belt set up with no pistol gear, it is mainly a backup with extra rifle mag pouches- dropping the pistol from the lineup gives me at least 2 more rifle mags with is 21 rounds of 9mm pistol ammo vs. 60 of 5.56 rifle ammo. I loan it out at rifle matches when my buddies come along. Armor is set up in layers (been playing with that on a regular basis) the the evolution going to quicker to release and lower profile (slick carrier for soft armor that is easy to get off, slick plate carrier over top with small plate on front to minimize hinderance to shooting) The theory is, based through a lot of experimentation, to have a belt with basic fighting gear on it, and armor if necessary that can easily be upgraded/downgraded and that minimizes the negative impact on my ability to move and shoot. Anything beyond what is on the belt is in my RAID pack. Just as a baseline, I started several years ago with a chest rig (actually went through several types), and after fighting with it for a while realized that a "bat belt" worked a hell of a lot better for me. About the only mobility limitation I have with the belt is kneeling can be a little "stiff" around the waist and getting up from the prone takes a half second longer as I wear the belt tight and just below my pants belt. the upside to this is it stays put (I have no ass or hips to speak of, but running it tight at this level keeps it from creeping up by my pants belt and dropping down by my hip bones.) I don't do LEO or MIL, just shoot a lot of rifle at practical matches, so take it for what its worth- hopefully it will help you figure where to start. I can't even begin to tell you how much cash I have rolled over in gear over the years to find what works for me for what I do shooting, but I am constantly trying out new stuff to see what works better for me. |
| My advise to you would be to get 3 tacos, an ATS med pouch (the ITS or BFG med pouches would work also, I like the ATS). That's it. Embrace your emergency medical experience and gear your equipment towards the medic role. Keep your medical pouch close to or on the front, reachable with both hands. Adjust the setup as you train with it. |
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I have a belt with two rifle mags, dump pouch, two pistol mags, crossing to the right side an HSGI bleeder pouch with minimal med gear, 1911 holster, and a spare TACO pouch on my strong side for another mag or a small water bottle. The weight is fairly well balanced when fully loaded, and under 10 lbs IIRC. I don't use suspenders or a belt pad anymore, I found them to create more problems than they solved, and they limited mobility by binding up in weird ways at odd moments. I also always have a couple of sets of earplugs and a set of shooting gloves stuffed in the dump pouch. I have a second belt set up with no pistol gear, it is mainly a backup with extra rifle mag pouches- dropping the pistol from the lineup gives me at least 2 more rifle mags with is 21 rounds of 9mm pistol ammo vs. 60 of 5.56 rifle ammo. I loan it out at rifle matches when my buddies come along. Armor is set up in layers (been playing with that on a regular basis) the the evolution going to quicker to release and lower profile (slick carrier for soft armor that is easy to get off, slick plate carrier over top with small plate on front to minimize hinderance to shooting) The theory is, based through a lot of experimentation, to have a belt with basic fighting gear on it, and armor if necessary that can easily be upgraded/downgraded and that minimizes the negative impact on my ability to move and shoot. Anything beyond what is on the belt is in my RAID pack. Just as a baseline, I started several years ago with a chest rig (actually went through several types), and after fighting with it for a while realized that a "bat belt" worked a hell of a lot better for me. About the only mobility limitation I have with the belt is kneeling can be a little "stiff" around the waist and getting up from the prone takes a half second longer as I wear the belt tight and just below my pants belt. the upside to this is it stays put (I have no ass or hips to speak of, but running it tight at this level keeps it from creeping up by my pants belt and dropping down by my hip bones.) I don't do LEO or MIL, just shoot a lot of rifle at practical matches, so take it for what its worth- hopefully it will help you figure where to start. I can't even begin to tell you how much cash I have rolled over in gear over the years to find what works for me for what I do shooting, but I am constantly trying out new stuff to see what works better for me. What is a "bat belt"? Thanks for sharing -Emt1581 |
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My advise to you would be to get 3 tacos, an ATS med pouch (the ITS or BFG med pouches would work also, I like the ATS). That's it. Embrace your emergency medical experience and gear your equipment towards the medic role. Keep your medical pouch close to or on the front, reachable with both hands. Adjust the setup as you train with it. Other than mags and IFAK I'm still not sure what I'd want...I personally like lights and blades and always have. However, in EMS we carry around a large bag/box and ride around in a portable office that has TONS of equipment. Without that, my capabilities are fairly minimal. Just a BLS provider. During a SHTF, I can't see how my load out would do anything other than to help myself medically speaking. And aside from my family I'm not planning to either. Rather, it's about protecting us not helping others for most SHTF's I can think of. -Emt1581 |
"Bat Belt" is a war belt
I am planning on mounting a triple mag shingle on the front of my banshee (haven't got it from shellback yet) I carry three rifle mags on my belt, 2 pistol, a knife, pistol, and med kit plus tourniquet. I don't know if am going to move the medical stuff up to the carrier or leave it on the belt. ––––––––––- My thinking is: I want everything to get myself armed and ready to fight quick on the belt. I can get it on faster than the plate carrier or chest rig. If I have time, I will put on the plate carrier. I want it to #1 offer me more protection and #2 more rifle ammo to back fill my belt. I prefer the pouches on my belt to be open top to keep reloads fast as well as making it easy to bump down mags from the plate carrier. The mag pouch on the plate carrier can have a little more retention (open top with shock cord) since I will not be reinserting mags into them very often, but I can get them out fairly quickly. |
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Belt:
Primarly general usage for pistol work and rifle support. 3 mags pistol, 2 rifle, with a dump pouch and a utility pouch, knife and gun holster. Plate carrier; 3 rifle bags, small med kit, admin pouch. Plate carrier mags feed the gun belt, gun belt feets the guns. I tend to carry less than most. |
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For PERSONAL gear, this is what I have:
Like many people here my gear is set up with a focus on a minimalist approach and with a line scaling ability. Info on the line items is here Basically, it goes from lightest (1st line) to highest effects (3rd, 4th, or even 5th line, depending on who you're talking to) with each progressive "line" adding on top of the ones before it. My first line is very basic, as it's my "Every Day Carry" (EDC). It's all pretty self explanatory. I carry: - A pistol in a concealed carry holster, plus an extra magazine - My keys - Pepper spray (for if I don't need to use deadly force, such as an aggressive dog, or can't carry legally because the location doesn't recognize my concealed carry permit) - My wallet - A flashlight - My phone Many guys do a "War Belt" set-up, which is nice for doing classes, 3-gun, or as Law Enforcement or Military, but isn't really useful in every day life. I don't mean to knock it, I'm currently in the process of building mine up, but I'd rather be slightly slower in practice compared to the guys using war belts, but actually get some utility out of my set up. Whatever works for you works though, and a lot of people get good usage out of their war belts and can tell you more about that. Second line I have a plate carrier. It only carries things that help put holes in people, stop holes in people, or, if I was part of a team, call other people to put holes in people. I don't have an admin pouch because I don't need an admin pouch for the mission my gear is for. I don't have soft armor, because this is only to help me live long enough to end the fight and hopefully live long enough to stay alive until help arrives and can get me to a hospital. As such, it only has the following in it: - Ceramic stand alone plates - Three AR magazines, with the ability to add 2 more magazines if I want to train more. - A Combat Application Tourniquet (CAT) that can be grabbed with either hand (i.e. located towards center line) for self aid. - A small, simple Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK) for "buddy aid" and limited self aid usage. I have nitrile gloves, multiple Combat Gauze, Israeli Bandages, another CAT, tape, and some occlusive dressings. This is readily identifiable as an IFAK due to the red cross I put on it, and the bright red strap on it. - Trauma shears Even though I'm a Combat Medic myself I don't have any crazy stuff in my IFAK, because my IFAK is only for immediate life saving interventions. If it's an immediate life saving intervention and I'm the patient, chances are I'm not going to be the one doing it, and if I am then I'm not going to be as up to snuff as I would if I were treating someone else out of my aid bag, so I don't want to mess with anything other than simple and effective tools. If I need to do something higher level than "pressure and elevate" then I can grab my aid bag. The topic most people like to over think is the ammo. My rifle is stored with a magazine in it already, and I have 3 more on the PC, and that's honestly more than overkill. One magazine will likely cover any situation you'll probably see in the United States, and two will allow for you to reload after that one in a million engagement. I only have 3 on my PC because I'm a paranoid gun owner and honestly the slots were free.  I guess you could make the argument that I can reload from any position now that there's 3 mags to choose from.
Third line I have in a small bag that attaches to my PC (Ares Armor Combat XII Pack). It's everything I think I'd need if I had to survive in the woods for about 24 hours. Poncho, change of socks, poncho liner, lighter, dryer lint (to help start a fire), hatchet, some 550 cord, a few bottles of water, some Clif Bars, etc. Simple stuff, nothing too out of the ordinary. I also have a small aid bag with another IFAK inside, and some more advanced stuff, along with ACE bandages, SAM splints, band-aids, gauze, cravats, and the like. Fourth line I have a bag with more survival stuff, enough to last about 72 hours or so. Better shelter, more food, more water, more medical stuff, ammo, water filters, etc. |
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Quoted:Everyone is different and some are preparing themselves for different threats/situations.
This. For example: CARRY LOTS OF AMMO. On April 4th I went through 14 mags and NEVER would have thought that a possibility before then. Carry more ammo, stage spare mags EVERYWHERE. If you're doing Green Zone PMC, one or two magazines may be enough, but you but if venture into the party zone, you need at least 12.
( From here: http://www.pmcpsc.com/lessons.htm ) |
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Quoted:Everyone is different and some are preparing themselves for different threats/situations.
This. For example: CARRY LOTS OF AMMO. On April 4th I went through 14 mags and NEVER would have thought that a possibility before then. Carry more ammo, stage spare mags EVERYWHERE. If you're doing Green Zone PMC, one or two magazines may be enough, but you but if venture into the party zone, you need at least 12.
( From here: http://www.pmcpsc.com/lessons.htm ) Most folks don't realize how much ammo you can go through in a firefight. That said, combat in afghanistan and defense in the states are two completely different things. I still carry a lot of ammo on my personal gear, though. |
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I've been looking at over a hundred pages of pics of plate carriers and how/what gear is arranged on them. I'm fairly new to them so I'll ask...how do you figure out what you NEED to carry and where on your PC to place that gear? The reason I ask is because I see most people have 4-6 rifle mags/2-4 pistol mags (most front and center), an IFAK, and then some misc. gear ranging from patches to admin pouches to lights and so on. Rather than share my thoughts/opinion I'll just leave it at observations and questions. Please share the logic behind your load out. Thanks -Emt1581 I'll be very honest with you and I hope I don't sound flippant - you figure it out by trial and error. Sure, be open-minded and listen to the opinion of others, but ultimately what works for them may not work for you. The best two pieces of advice I can give you is: 1. Have multiple rigs for multiple configurations/missions - try to avoid the one rig fits all scenarios mentality 2. Buy the best quality you can afford the first time - buy once, cry once...it really is cheaper in the long run |
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For PERSONAL gear, this is what I have: Like many people here my gear is set up with a focus on a minimalist approach and with a line scaling ability. Info on the line items is here Basically, it goes from lightest (1st line) to highest effects (3rd, 4th, or even 5th line, depending on who you're talking to) with each progressive "line" adding on top of the ones before it. My first line is very basic, as it's my "Every Day Carry" (EDC). It's all pretty self explanatory. I carry: - A pistol in a concealed carry holster, plus an extra magazine - My keys - Pepper spray (for if I don't need to use deadly force, such as an aggressive dog, or can't carry legally because the location doesn't recognize my concealed carry permit) - My wallet - A flashlight - My phone Many guys do a "War Belt" set-up, which is nice for doing classes, 3-gun, or as Law Enforcement or Military, but isn't really useful in every day life. I don't mean to knock it, I'm currently in the process of building mine up, but I'd rather be slightly slower in practice compared to the guys using war belts, but actually get some utility out of my set up. Whatever works for you works though, and a lot of people get good usage out of their war belts and can tell you more about that. Second line I have a plate carrier. It only carries things that help put holes in people, stop holes in people, or, if I was part of a team, call other people to put holes in people. I don't have an admin pouch because I don't need an admin pouch for the mission my gear is for. I don't have soft armor, because this is only to help me live long enough to end the fight and hopefully live long enough to stay alive until help arrives and can get me to a hospital. As such, it only has the following in it: - Ceramic stand alone plates - Three AR magazines, with the ability to add 2 more magazines if I want to train more. - A Combat Application Tourniquet (CAT) that can be grabbed with either hand (i.e. located towards center line) for self aid. - A small, simple Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK) for "buddy aid" and limited self aid usage. I have nitrile gloves, multiple Combat Gauze, Israeli Bandages, another CAT, tape, and some occlusive dressings. This is readily identifiable as an IFAK due to the red cross I put on it, and the bright red strap on it. - Trauma shears Even though I'm a Combat Medic myself I don't have any crazy stuff in my IFAK, because my IFAK is only for immediate life saving interventions. If it's an immediate life saving intervention and I'm the patient, chances are I'm not going to be the one doing it, and if I am then I'm not going to be as up to snuff as I would if I were treating someone else out of my aid bag, so I don't want to mess with anything other than simple and effective tools. If I need to do something higher level than "pressure and elevate" then I can grab my aid bag. The topic most people like to over think is the ammo. My rifle is stored with a magazine in it already, and I have 3 more on the PC, and that's honestly more than overkill. One magazine will likely cover any situation you'll probably see in the United States, and two will allow for you to reload after that one in a million engagement. I only have 3 on my PC because I'm a paranoid gun owner and honestly the slots were free. I guess you could make the argument that I can reload from any position now that there's 3 mags to choose from.
Third line I have in a small bag that attaches to my PC (Ares Armor Combat XII Pack). It's everything I think I'd need if I had to survive in the woods for about 24 hours. Poncho, change of socks, poncho liner, lighter, dryer lint (to help start a fire), hatchet, some 550 cord, a few bottles of water, some Clif Bars, etc. Simple stuff, nothing too out of the ordinary. I also have a small aid bag with another IFAK inside, and some more advanced stuff, along with ACE bandages, SAM splints, band-aids, gauze, cravats, and the like. Fourth line I have a bag with more survival stuff, enough to last about 72 hours or so. Better shelter, more food, more water, more medical stuff, ammo, water filters, etc. That's quite an organization you have there. Looking at yours I'd say I have 3 lines. But my GHB being a line is geared more toward an urban hike so I can get home from my job or somewhere else without drawing too much attention and on foot but with decent capabilities like fire starting, water, and an AK. It's heavier than it should be but I'd rather not need it and have it than the other way around. To be honest, I've never seen them before other than the older ones from WWII/Nam eras. That thick padding and massive plastic buckle....kinda new to me. Looks somewhat comfy but seriously bulky and not something I can see myself wearing other than if "patroling" or in a seriously shitty situation. I spent a while looking at the "war/bat belt" thread last night. Interesting but not something I think I would use over a PC. If I'm facing a threat I'd much rather have armor. I know they can be used in conjunction with a PC and maybe for a pistol or a few extra mags I could use one but other than that I just don't see it. That doesn't mean I won't build one. A lot of things I originally thought I had no use for I now have. Some I still don't. Thanks for the replies!! 
-Emt1581 |
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I've been looking at over a hundred pages of pics of plate carriers and how/what gear is arranged on them. I'm fairly new to them so I'll ask...how do you figure out what you NEED to carry and where on your PC to place that gear? The reason I ask is because I see most people have 4-6 rifle mags/2-4 pistol mags (most front and center), an IFAK, and then some misc. gear ranging from patches to admin pouches to lights and so on. Rather than share my thoughts/opinion I'll just leave it at observations and questions. Please share the logic behind your load out. Thanks -Emt1581 I'll be very honest with you and I hope I don't sound flippant - you figure it out by trial and error. Sure, be open-minded and listen to the opinion of others, but ultimately what works for them may not work for you. The best two pieces of advice I can give you is: 1. Have multiple rigs for multiple configurations/missions - try to avoid the one rig fits all scenarios mentality 2. Buy the best quality you can afford the first time - buy once, cry once...it really is cheaper in the long run Multiple rigs...you mean multiple PC's/Belts? I've got a LOT of gear when it comes to weapons. More than most I've seen online. But several sets of plates can get expensive quick especially when using ones other than ESAPI. Maybe different carriers and then just switch the plates. With the Banshee that'd be easy and fairly cheap. I understand what you're saying about buy once cry once...it's so true. First lesson I learned with that was back in undergrad when I started carrying....started with a cheapie Fobus. Gave myself wedgies trying to draw/etc. and realized very quickly that a Sidearmor IWB was worth it's weight in Gold by comparison. Thanks -Emt1581 |
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I've been looking at over a hundred pages of pics of plate carriers and how/what gear is arranged on them. I'm fairly new to them so I'll ask...how do you figure out what you NEED to carry and where on your PC to place that gear? The reason I ask is because I see most people have 4-6 rifle mags/2-4 pistol mags (most front and center), an IFAK, and then some misc. gear ranging from patches to admin pouches to lights and so on. Rather than share my thoughts/opinion I'll just leave it at observations and questions. Please share the logic behind your load out. Thanks -Emt1581 I'll be very honest with you and I hope I don't sound flippant - you figure it out by trial and error. Sure, be open-minded and listen to the opinion of others, but ultimately what works for them may not work for you. The best two pieces of advice I can give you is: 1. Have multiple rigs for multiple configurations/missions - try to avoid the one rig fits all scenarios mentality 2. Buy the best quality you can afford the first time - buy once, cry once...it really is cheaper in the long run Multiple rigs...you mean multiple PC's/Belts? I've got a LOT of gear when it comes to weapons. More than most I've seen online. But several sets of plates can get expensive quick especially when using ones other than ESAPI. Maybe different carriers and then just switch the plates. With the Banshee that'd be easy and fairly cheap. I understand what you're saying about buy once cry once...it's so true. First lesson I learned with that was back in undergrad when I started carrying....started with a cheapie Fobus. Gave myself wedgies trying to draw/etc. and realized very quickly that a Sidearmor IWB was worth it's weight in Gold by comparison. Thanks -Emt1581 |
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I've been looking at over a hundred pages of pics of plate carriers and how/what gear is arranged on them. I'm fairly new to them so I'll ask...how do you figure out what you NEED to carry and where on your PC to place that gear? The reason I ask is because I see most people have 4-6 rifle mags/2-4 pistol mags (most front and center), an IFAK, and then some misc. gear ranging from patches to admin pouches to lights and so on. Rather than share my thoughts/opinion I'll just leave it at observations and questions. Please share the logic behind your load out. Thanks -Emt1581 I'll be very honest with you and I hope I don't sound flippant - you figure it out by trial and error. Sure, be open-minded and listen to the opinion of others, but ultimately what works for them may not work for you. The best two pieces of advice I can give you is: 1. Have multiple rigs for multiple configurations/missions - try to avoid the one rig fits all scenarios mentality 2. Buy the best quality you can afford the first time - buy once, cry once...it really is cheaper in the long run Multiple rigs...you mean multiple PC's/Belts? I've got a LOT of gear when it comes to weapons. More than most I've seen online. But several sets of plates can get expensive quick especially when using ones other than ESAPI. Maybe different carriers and then just switch the plates. With the Banshee that'd be easy and fairly cheap. I understand what you're saying about buy once cry once...it's so true. First lesson I learned with that was back in undergrad when I started carrying....started with a cheapie Fobus. Gave myself wedgies trying to draw/etc. and realized very quickly that a Sidearmor IWB was worth it's weight in Gold by comparison. Thanks -Emt1581 You got it, OP...I have two carriers here in Afghanistan that are mission specific - all I do is switch out the plates (though I mainly run a slick plate carrier now). Following that method, I have a couple of duty belts and war belts set up and all I do is just put my pistol on whichever one I am wearing that day. Days when I am only going a short distance onto a secure installation, I am running a lightly loaded duty belt with one rifle and one pistol mag, knife, light and cell phone. Days when I know I will be traveling long distance or I will be out in an unsecured area, I use the war belt with all I need to fight my way back to a secure area or vehicle. I only run one chest rig and I never ever change the location of the gear it holds. I was a total newb when I first started this and bought every damn piece of kit I ever thought I would need - by trial an error, and not being to proud to listen to guys who knew a sh*tload more about this than I do, I found what works for me. |
| Decide what you want to do with it. Decide how you want to employ it. Decide what goals you want to accomplish with it. Then check out how others have their set up to give you some ideas. Then, after yours is put together, go out and physically use it and test it, to see if/how well it fits with what you want it to do, and then adjust accordingly. |
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Decide what you want to do with it. Decide how you want to employ it. Decide what goals you want to accomplish with it. Then check out how others have their set up to give you some ideas. Then, after yours is put together, go out and physically use it and test it, to see if/how well it fits with what you want it to do, and then adjust accordingly. Well that's why I'm asking for people to share their rationale. Maybe I'm underestimating how much I'll need. Maybe I'll need something that I haven't even considered carrying. Good idea as far as using/testing it. I plan to. Only way to learn...aside from knowing others' experience. Thanks -Emt1581 |
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Thats pretty much it. You can get ideas an such from others, but as far as determining what you want to carry, and how, you just have to go out and try it. No one can ultimately tell you what you should or shouldnt have/use, or how it should or shouldnt be set up, because what fits someone elses requirements, may not fit yours, and vice versa.
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That's what is so great about this forum. It's nice to get a lot of ideas from the people that have real world experience, and take some of those ideas, and apply them to your own needs, and maybe you'll find one that works well for you. Than take what you have applied of your own, and share it with others................BROTHERHOOD 
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Ask yourself this question: What's my purpose to building this gear? Once you get your purpose down, you can then build your gear to meet that purpose.
I built my LBE to defend my home or neighborhood in a crisis situation. I used ALICE gear for years, but I just upgraded from an ALICE setup to MOLLE, but this was personal preference. I tried to duplicate my ALICE setup with MOLLE, and to have everything I needed on one vest. To give you some ideas: I started with a surplus MOLLE vest, and added 4 double AR magazine pouches. I have two on my carbine, so I have 10 magazines total. I have a holster for my M&P attached to a molle drop leg attachment, and have four ALICE magazine pouches on the vest for four spare magazines. On the back, I have a MOLLE butt bag that carries different items depending on the season (wool watch cap, gloves), TP, spare socks, as well as snacks, granola bars, matches, camping knife/fork/spoon, spare batteries, and an esbit stove. On each side of the butt bag, I have two GI canteens in pouches and a canteen cup. I do have a Camelback to carry more water, but I would add this to my son's gear instead of mine. Plus, at home or in the neighborhood, two canteens are plenty. Other items carried are a radio (2m or FRS - FRS fits good in a ALICE compass pouch), a Cold Steel SRK attached to the vest, a Gerber tool attached to the vest and a individual first aid kit containing various bangages, band aids, pain relievers, benedryl, chapstick, ointment, etc. I also have a medium ALICE pack on a frame that holds spare items that I would not be regularly using, spare clothing, spare ammo, plus my GPS and compass. |
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Multiple rigs...you mean multiple PC's/Belts?[/quotes] I was going to include this in my earlier post but figured i'd wait for the subject to come up. As a FF/Medic, I don't routinely wear armor on duty, so I wanted to keep gearing up for a TEMS callout a simple proposition. As a result I went with a warbelt and a Spartan II, which combines LBV and armor. Most of the cops I work with already will be wearing armor when SHTF, so they opted for plate carriers and/or gear vests. If you are faced with changing jobs (missions) between uses, it may be easier (but not cheaper ) to get a slick armor & plate carrier and simply use multiple LBVs over that depending on what you're tasked with this time out.
As an example I know a cop who has one vest when he's the breacher, one when he's the DM and another when he's just in the stack. Each is arranged in a similar fashion (don't underestimate muscle memory trained physical responses  ) for things like ammo and TQs, but any specialty gear is mounted in the spaces between.
The best way to see what works is going to be to try it out under conditions that are as close to the real deal as you can get. It means an expenditure of time and money but that's the only way to really know. Just my $0.02. |
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Quoted:Everyone is different and some are preparing themselves for different threats/situations.
This. For example: CARRY LOTS OF AMMO. On April 4th I went through 14 mags and NEVER would have thought that a possibility before then. Carry more ammo, stage spare mags EVERYWHERE. If you're doing Green Zone PMC, one or two magazines may be enough, but you but if venture into the party zone, you need at least 12.
( From here: http://www.pmcpsc.com/lessons.htm ) Nailed it. Never know when your light and swift ass is gonna find itself at a dead end or in a pinch and you've only got 4 mags cause you were too busy being fast and furious. On that note, I have different rigs set up for different uses, at least three: One's a small chest rig (the BCM 03 one) and one's a full load vest, both for 5.56, the other's my .308/battle rifle rig, also a full vest. None of those are plate carriers, cause I went with a slick/low profile armor carrier (which contains hard plates and soft armor) to go under either of the three rigs I have, that way I can always have armor no matter what rig I'm using. |
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Quoted:
I've been looking at over a hundred pages of pics of plate carriers and how/what gear is arranged on them. I'm fairly new to them so I'll ask...how do you figure out what you NEED to carry and where on your PC to place that gear? The reason I ask is because I see most people have 4-6 rifle mags/2-4 pistol mags (most front and center), an IFAK, and then some misc. gear ranging from patches to admin pouches to lights and so on. Rather than share my thoughts/opinion I'll just leave it at observations and questions. Please share the logic behind your load out. Thanks -Emt1581 Several Different Russian / soviet rigs and some german gear... oh and chinese rig Smersh is my medium weight can carry between 8-12 mags and has a butt-pack to put all the extra stuff into... it has some mole areas if you need to partially change its configuration all of the mag pouches are over the hips and sort of reminds me of alice harness Second one is old soviet Lifchik to carry 6 mags, its very simple and pretty basic and very light... German H-harness which I dont like as much as Russian Smersh and also Chinese chicom that carry 3 mags... its my ultralight rig =) I think I gonna invest into another Russian rig, probably Lazutchik (maybe M vsersion) Also looking to get me some US spec rig as well later =) |
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i carry 6 rifle mags plus 2 spare pistol mags, primary weapon mags center with secondary weapon mags on the left side i also carry water an IFAK an admin pouch a spare double magazine pouch on the right for misc. items such as a smoke grenade, or a battle field pickup hand gun or extra magazines. and a radio pouch for my 2ways with ear pieces and PPTs. i also have a roll up dump pouch for the extra carrying ability. all on an MSA SOPC my wife has a similar set up
I dont use a "battle belt" just a simple safariland 6004. everything but the pistol goes on the PC. we do have helmets (RFI forgot to ask for them) i figured if things went really really bad we would be fighting out of a city so in my admin i have stuff tailored to that ie door stops, a small pry bar, lockpick set, glass punch, a leather man with a lot of different bits, some electrical wire etc and so on. its a lot of random stuff. being both soldiers i figured that sticking with set ups similar to what we have both used on multiple tours would be best as well as a familiar weapon and ammo amount. not sure what we would be running and gunning against but thats why everything is so adaptable. my logic being we are used to these set ups and tactics and they work, they worked in iraq they worked in afghanistan, they worked in urban and mountain settings so they should work on the streets of the US. hopefully. if not who ever kills us is gonna get some good gear |
| Only mags on my carrier are for my rifle, pistol mags go on my belt. If I have to ditch my vest, I still have something to fight with. I dont place anything behind my 3 or 9 o'clock either other than a camelbak, everything on the vest is as close to front and center as possible. |
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