Everyone has their own Christmas traditions…well mine is to go on an FTX to use all the gear I have lying around the house, evaluate it and see what works. I like going out on holidays because you generally run into fewer people in the middle of nowhere.
I took Dastardly Don with me on the FTX today, the other guys all had family commitments and couldn’t make it. Don had to be home tonight with his g/f, otherwise we probably would have camped out. Our usual AO was surprisingly busy. Lots of quads dune buggies were about, as well as two Sherriff’s Deputy Canine units (maybe they were out looking for drugs?).
One deputy approached us as we were getting out of the car gearing up. Conversation as follows:
Sherriff: Hey guys
Me: hello how’s it going
Sherriff: Not bad, what are you guys up to?
Me: Going on a little hike
(pause of 30 seconds)
Him: Well have fun guys…
I halfway expected to see the Maricopa County SWAT team roll out in their APC while we were out there, but we were allowed to go about our lawful activities unhindered. We headed off into the side washes and hills away from the quads.
Don and I both took our CAV-15 MKII rifles with us. His is a 14.5” with permanently attached CAV Comp and Eotech, mine is a 20” gov’t profile with CAV Comp and ACOG. Carrying a rifle that weighs a full pound less than a standard AR certainly does make a difference.
Don’s set up consists of a SDS (Specialty Defense Systems) FLC with SDS pouches and a camelback, he ended up being quite happy with how he set it up worked for him.
My vest is an enhanced LBV-88. I used the SOB ( Spec Ops Brand) MOLLE panels with their X2 pouches attached (I only carry 1 30 rounder in each). The shoulder suspenders are by Eagle and made the vest very comfortable. I also have a SOB THE HUMP, buttpack, and battle belt. Atacched to the belt on my support side I have a pouch that holds 4 20 round magazines, and an Eagle Dump Pouch. On my strong side I carry my Glock 21 in a UM92 holster and a Glock field knife.
This configuration I put together is by far the most comfortable I have used. I really like the HUMP for carrying my camelback, and the SOB buttpack for my poncho, food, and Gatorade bottles in the side pouches.
The SOB recon wraps are really handy…especially for guys like me and Don that wear glasses, keeps the sweat from pooling onto the lenses. I’ve taken to wearing the recon wraps as sweat bands at matches as well.
Here’s a few pics:
good representation of the terrain we were in.
Dastardly Don
me
You can get a decent look at me gear in these pics:
Some more views of the scenery:
checking how well our gear worked going prone:
Some more pics here if you guys care to look:
www.cavalryarms.com/XMASHIKE/We’re doing an overnighter next week in a more secluded area…should be fun.
Merry Christmas everyone.