Howdy all,

I started another thread about tac vests for guys who are huge (5'6" and 145 lbs) and someone recommended that a chest carrier might work better for me.

I guess when I gets down to it, my needs are to carry a couple of mags with the ability to expand to a "full load."  My original thought was to get a chest carrier for when i just needed 3-4 mags and a couple of pistol mags and then a vest for the SHTF stuff, but I think I might be leaning towards a modular chest carrier now.  One of my concerns with the modular carriers (besides how fast the costs ad up- yes, budget will work into this) is the pouches "flopping" around when attached.  

I don't even quite know where to start asking quetions, so I guess I'll handle it in two ways.  First, is it worth the extra cost to go modular, and do modular chest carriers seem to work well?  Second, what carriers can you all recommend?  I have looked at the TT MAV (cheap base cost?), the SOtech Hellcat (does the internal mag pouch system work that well?), the BHI Strike (looks expandable to a vest-like setup?), and the CQB/Specter Operator and possibly their new modular rig when it comes out.  Anyonone have a quick breakdown of the advantages and disadvantages of each system?

Sorry, I know this is like asking "what is the best rifle?" but I have to start somehwere!

Dawg

Try -



Or



HSG web site - Click Here

blackhawk.com

]www.blackhawkindustries.com/product_detail.asp?product_id=2786&d=]
There, hooked up a link to their STRIKE chest harness. Also have a couple of other options also.

Blackhawk is good stuff...if you wanna pay some commies to sew your stuff and it be out of spec and fall apart on you.  Try Tactical tailor...their prices are great and their stuff is a lot tougher than Blackhawk...or Paraclete if you're rich, cause they make the ebst stuff on the market.  SoTech and HSGI are good to go also.

I dont know about your experiances, but I used blackhawk gear for most of a year and had zero problems with any of it. And as for the commies, I never heard anyone complain about H&K owners supporting socialism. Shit, if it was commie owned, I would have a problem with it, but it is still atleast American owned. I would prefer to see the blackhawk manufacturer make their stuff in the states, but I know for myself it works, and will continue to purchase it as needed.

www.soegear.com Or just look at em all at www.lightfighter.com

Thanks guys.  I guess maybe I wasn't clear enough on my request.  What I am looking for is personal experiences with the products I listed.  I already have drooled over lightfighter for countless hours, but I don't know how the carriers work as far as usefulness, features, comfort, etc. and was looking for some comments on that.

Dawg

I have a CQB (Specter) Mark 1 that I am using with my patrol carbine. My is about 6 months old, so I can either fit 3 mags or 6 mags in the pouches. I don't know if the new ones hold the same. It is comfortable, rides well, and does not get in the way of my duty belt. I don't think you live too far from me, if you want to see it let me know. Some time in the future I will probably switch over to the STRIKE, but only to get the plate carrier option, not because of issues with the Mark 1.

There is a thread about the HSGI weesatch below  thats got some comments on it I've got a Wasatch which is designed for the fuller figure. It might be something you may want to loook into. It's based on a plate carrier but will do it all without the plates. The gear is top notch and can be run with a low profile, read that thread and see what you think about it. I like mine althoughI haven't put it through its paces. It's similar to the hellcat idea but with twice the ammo at half the price.

I've had one of the older CQB Solutions/Spectre Gear chest rigs.  Works great.  Will hold 3-6 mags (if you stuff 2 in each pouch).  Nice rig, but fairly limited to expansion.  

I also have a SOTech Hellcat.  VERY nice rig.  As you stated, it has the built in 6 mag capacity and the mag slots work just fine.  The beauty of the Hellcat is that you still have the entire rig worth of Molle webbing for pouches of your choice without having to add mag pouches.  And to address your concerns of "flopping" pouches on the modular rigs, that problem is pretty much non-existant with any of the pouches from a quality manufacturer (Paraclete, HSGI, Tactical Tailor, Eagle, etc.).

As far as comfort and best fit, my suggestion would be for you to find a dealer or a friend nearby that may have one or two of the rigs for you to try on and see how you like it.  

Stephen

I've only used my Intercepter vest with MOLLE gear, but I can say that I like Tactical Tailor MOLLE mag pouches. Along with London Bridge Trading Co. pouches (local, recommended by SeALs in the area). I like them a lot better thatn Blackhawk stuff. Their better made, more compact and ride better on the vest. What ever you choose as long as it's molle it doesn't flop around.

deputygadget, I'm a newbie, where's the thread? I was thinking about getting a Wasatch to go over my Interceptor. That way I can drop my gear and plates for working and still have some protection in the field.

It's on this forum should be just below this one. Title "HSGI  Weesatch" lots of info and feedback if you go on the equipment exchange SKD tactical had a thread posted and they offer good service as well.

www.esstac.com


look at their chest rigs, specifically the boar and bush boar.  then imagine that with a split front and a plate carrier.  it's the cat's meow, whatever that means.  i think it means that need to get more pussy.

i personally love my hellcat mk1. i am an armchair commando, but have abused and used the sh*t outta my hellcat. sotech warranties their stuff for life. i also have a cqb operator 1 vest. it's o.k. but the chest rig is better. i am also small framed man 5'5" and 140lbs and my hellcat is the heat . imho
weesatch looks interesting but i am waiting for awhile before i  might purchase. one thing that i have learned here at arfcomm is , just because it's new and the latest craze doesn't always mean it's the best.
i have a tear in my shoulder strap, which i will be taking it into sotech for free repair. the response i got back from richard lee at sotech was fast and very cordial. try to do that with a pair of oakleys for warranty repair. he basically apologized for the inconveniance and i said for what? that's customer service.
that's why i'm sticking with my hellcat. great product and a great company that stands by their products.
just my .02 cents

meat

Another +1 for the Hellcat.  Here's mine with some Paraclete gear on it.

very niiiccceeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! almost the same setup except for the extra gp pouch.
if i would ever get out of the stone age , i'll by a digital camera and post a pic. then i gotta figure out how to post.

Don't know if you need the ability to carry armor plates or not, but you might wan't to look at the Callahan (by SOTECH).  You can detach the Hellcat from the Plate carrier and use them independantly or together.  It's probably the most versatile rig out there.  

I can snap some photos of mine and email them to you if you like.

I also have a MAV 2 piece with X harness.  Really comfy and alot of bang for the buck.

JMO

same with the essential tactical boar and bush boar.  you can get split or non-split front.  you can get a plate carrier that attaches and is removable.  









what you see is a bush boar, split front, with (from left to right, all by Essential Tactical) a Packrat, a canteen pouch, a double-mag wedge, another double-mag wedge, a medic pouch, and a strobe pouch.  an x-harness design will also be available at some point in the near future, in case you choose to go with the above pictured non-plate-carrier configuration.

Thanks for the tip, I will watch for the release. I am in no hurry, as the Mark 1 is working great. It just won't work when I go with plates.

You might try Arktis. I had some English buddies who were swore buy them and they were allowed to buy whatever they wanted with the Queen picking up the bill. I have one of there vests and it is very well laid out. I like the fact that it will go over body armor and still shrink down to fit my 5'6 140 frame without and body armor and without  bouncing around. I can also tell you that most guys who have any long term experience with black hawk will not have good things to say. My personal experience had me back and forth to the riggers to try to get mine repaired because Blackhawk did a shity job stitching it the first time. Made in Vietnam I think that says it all. Tactical Taylor and London Bridge both have good reps. What application will you be using this for? And body armor or no?

Sorry I am a slow kid. Just figured out you are comparing between chest rig and vest. Oh well. I like vests for the snugger fit and they have more room most of the time.

I definitely want a chest carrier as opposed to a vest, i know that much.  The Weestach is nice, but just too bulky for what I am looking for. The Blackhawk looks like the cheap way to go, but I am still considering the Hellcat as an option- my only reservation is I have heard that you need magpuls to get the mags out, which also means you probably need somehwere to put empties as i bet you won't be able to get them back in real easy.  Being that the CQB modular rig is coming out soon i might wait another month and see what that looks like function and price-wise.

Dawg

Dawg maybe I am reading too much into your last post.....but you should NEVER mix empty or partially full mags with your full mags. Could lead to a very unpleasant surprise sometime when you think you have a full mag loaded, but only have a couple rounds (or no rounds). Maybe you are only going to use this for the range, but remember you fight the way you train.

Yes and no- I guess what I meant by the Hellcat comment was that I will have to equip my mags w/magpuls which is another expense to the system.  I was more just thinking out loud about the dump pouch, i guess that would really be necessary for any setup if you want to keep the mags but not get confused...

Dawg

Yes, I know what you mean about the dump pouch. I have been looking at the Maxpedition one that Military Moron has on his web site. IIRC it holds seven mags, either with or without magpuls. I would like to see one in person, before I buy, but no one in my area seems to have one. I just might have to go out on a limb and buy one to see if I like it.

i use magpuls on everything, yes i would advise using some sort of para cord or magpuls.
i've got an eagle evidence dump pouch on my belt. compact folds up nice and easy to open .
i've also heard good things about the maxpedition, i think the eagle and max are about the same. unfortunately i dont have both to compare by. it looks about the same. i'm just a regular dude so, i don't plan on getting into any direct action stuff. it's all for the shtf scenario. but i do agree fight as you train ,train as you fight. imho

meat