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Posted: 7/9/2015 10:27:54 AM EDT
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Now that I've got my PIG set up with plates and mags, I'd like to start using it for carbine classes.
Someone suggested wearing it around the house to acclimate to the weight and get used to working around whatever is happen to have mounted to your chest. I'm wondering how long it typically takes until the weight & encumbrance goes unnoticed, and if there are any other suggestions. I'm not a Tier 1 guy, just a civvy looking to add a little safety to my training. Thanks! |
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Now that I've got my PIG set up with plates and mags, I'd like to start using it for carbine classes. Someone suggested wearing it around the house to acclimate to the weight and get used to working around whatever is happen to have mounted to your chest. I'm wondering how long it typically takes until the weight & encumbrance goes unnoticed, and if there are any other suggestions. I'm not a Tier 1 guy, just a civvy looking to add a little safety to my training. Thanks! I usually wear my PC when I work out in my basement, I gets me used to the feeling and also adds alittle bit more weight (my PC is like 14lbs. right now) It's just like wearing a heavy coat (at least to me) it takes like 1-3 weeks to feel nothing at all. 
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My vest fully loaded is 2 esapi plates, 2 side plates, soft armor, 6 mags and a 3l hydro pouch which weighs 42 lbs, then add a battle belt full of accessories, pistol, pistol mags, etc... fully geared my mobility is pretty limited.
For home defense i only use 3 mags and dont use a hydro pouch so its around 30 lbs, its heavy but for CQB i a small home with small rooms and narrow hallways and doors mobility and cover are pretty much non-existent. For carbine course i only use 3 mags ditch the side plates but its still a little over 30lbs. But im 6' and 190 lbs so i dont notice it unless ive been wearing it for several hours. It all depends on the weight and your size, if its under 20 lbs and youre a large framed guy you probably wont even notice it after wearing it a few times. For me more than the weight was learning to shoulder the rifle differently as most vests have a buckle or strap right where you normally put the butt stock, i had to create a little "pocket" out my hydration tube and some paracord. But then after awhile you get used to the vest and its weird to shoot without it. |
| I've worn mine to classes before and really get to where I don't notice it. Working out in it definitely is a good way to get used to it and to see how well it stays in place if you need to do some acrobatics. My APC stays in one place during running, pullups, pushups, etc. |
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If you're trying to get to the point where you don't notice the weight,ms tart working out your shoulders and back. Get stronger there to get use to the weight.
Wear it a lot, everywhere, doing everything. This works for two reasons. 1) you figure out what on you gear shouldn't be there (best advice I was given, go sit on the toilet, if something is in the way, move it lol) 2) you get use to doing everything and you find out what is strenuous and what isn't and therefor adapt to the carrier weight. |
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If you're trying to get to the point where you don't notice the weight,ms tart working out your shoulders and back. Get stronger there to get use to the weight. Wear it a lot, everywhere, doing everything. This works for two reasons. 1) you figure out what on you gear shouldn't be there (best advice I was given, go sit on the toilet, if something is in the way, move it lol) 2) you get use to doing everything and you find out what is strenuous and what isn't and therefor adapt to the carrier weight. Lol. Well, the toilet exercise was a success today. My PIG has an elastic cummerbund currently, 3 single tacos and one double (rifle/pistol) taco. |
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It will never go unnoticed. At least that's how it was for me. The longer I wore my armor (interceptor and then MTV), my shoulders hurt more. Of course, a day pack and a 119F, MBITR, spare Com batteries and LZ kit didn't help either Agreed. I've been wearing body armor almost every day for over 4 years and it will never really go away. I will tell you though that the difference between the PIG and my issued IOTV is like night and day. I would suggest going for walks while wearing your gear, if that's an option for you. |
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Agreed. I've been wearing body armor almost every day for over 4 years and it will never really go away. I will tell you though that the difference between the PIG and my issued IOTV is like night and day. I would suggest going for walks while wearing your gear, if that's an option for you. Quoted:
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It will never go unnoticed. At least that's how it was for me. The longer I wore my armor (interceptor and then MTV), my shoulders hurt more. Of course, a day pack and a 119F, MBITR, spare Com batteries and LZ kit didn't help either Agreed. I've been wearing body armor almost every day for over 4 years and it will never really go away. I will tell you though that the difference between the PIG and my issued IOTV is like night and day. I would suggest going for walks while wearing your gear, if that's an option for you. We live in an upper middle class neighborhood of only 13 houses. My neighbors would certainly ask questions, and heading out onto the main road would most likely "invite the man into my life".
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Like another poster said do back and shoulder exercises at the gym until you notice you are moving up in weights...25-30lbs for shoulder free weight lifts at least.
I will also add core training, too. Abs, lower back, side ab things, and lats will also help. A big thing with plate carriers is how you need to modify your stock position on the rifle and get adjusted to the new cheek weld. Make sure you do dry fire drills with the rifle to find the best weld and stock length with your plates and see how the stock rests on your shoulder with the PC on. I'm not a big guy, so my rifle stocks generally rest on the very corner of my shooters cut plates causing me to collapse my stock all the way down for most scenarios. |
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Train with added weight. Kinda like how baseball players put weights on their bats before they go up to the plate, to make your body feel like it's lighter. Fill old magazines with lead ot something like that. Wear a backpack with a sandbag inside. That's the best way I've found to make a plate carrier or armor system feel better. Also, they are kind of like shoes...you've got to work them in for a better feel. |
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I wear mine while riding my mower in the back yard and drinking beer.Its fun and makes me feel tacticool.  
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f134/Deussne/Personal/Orushiya/FullSizeRender_zpsppxqpktw.jpg lol nice! 
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Train with added weight. Kinda like how baseball players put weights on their bats before they go up to the plate, to make your body feel like it's lighter. Fill old magazines with lead ot something like that. Wear a backpack with a sandbag inside. That's the best way I've found to make a plate carrier or armor system feel better. Also, they are kind of like shoes...you've got to work them in for a better feel. Google C-PAT vests - they're nylon vests weighted to simulate firefighting gear and airpack. Just a plain nylon vest with a bunch of metal rods or pouches on it. Not tactical and not "attention" worthy. |
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Google C-PAT vests - they're nylon vests weighted to simulate firefighting gear and airpack. Just a plain nylon vest with a bunch of metal rods or pouches on it. Not tactical and not "attention" worthy. Quoted:
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Train with added weight. Kinda like how baseball players put weights on their bats before they go up to the plate, to make your body feel like it's lighter. Fill old magazines with lead ot something like that. Wear a backpack with a sandbag inside. That's the best way I've found to make a plate carrier or armor system feel better. Also, they are kind of like shoes...you've got to work them in for a better feel. Google C-PAT vests - they're nylon vests weighted to simulate firefighting gear and airpack. Just a plain nylon vest with a bunch of metal rods or pouches on it. Not tactical and not "attention" worthy. Good idea, but DAMN - some of those vests cost more than my plates. |
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Good idea, but DAMN - some of those vests cost more than my plates. Quoted:
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Train with added weight. Kinda like how baseball players put weights on their bats before they go up to the plate, to make your body feel like it's lighter. Fill old magazines with lead ot something like that. Wear a backpack with a sandbag inside. That's the best way I've found to make a plate carrier or armor system feel better. Also, they are kind of like shoes...you've got to work them in for a better feel. Google C-PAT vests - they're nylon vests weighted to simulate firefighting gear and airpack. Just a plain nylon vest with a bunch of metal rods or pouches on it. Not tactical and not "attention" worthy. Good idea, but DAMN - some of those vests cost more than my plates. Yeah I was shocked when I looked around for one also. Was looking for one at work on the treadmill. |
Take empty aluminum or steel mags, fill them up with molten lead. You've just created a tactical training weight  Fill an sandbag, duct tape it, and stuff in a backpack. No need to shell out lots of money for a training vest. What happened to the "train how you firght" crowd? |
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