Chest rig/go-bag/SHTF stuff, AK-specific

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Coronach

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I'm looking for some turn-out gear for the trunk of my car. Details/restrictions below:

Usage would be for active shooters and similar events, NOT for independent operation and banditry in TEOTWAWKI.

Weapon is a SAR-1 (7.62x39)

Loadout of 3-4 magazines

Must take up a fairly minimal amount of space (fits in a subcompartment of my trunk)

Must be fairly inexpensive, but functional

Must be able to handle some ancillary gear (blowout kit, flashlight, spare batteries, etc)(and I'd be interested to hear what ancillary gear you would recommend)

Must be able to be set up to ID me as a cop (since I am one, and I really don't want to be shot by one)

NOT a plate carrier (can't afford plates right now, busy buying EBRs)

Now, what I was thinking was a chicom 3-mag AK rig and a jacket that says PO-PO on it. However, I don't know how much other other crap you can carry easily on that rig, or how adaptable it is.

Any and all suggestions welcome. Of course, I tried a search on here, but our search function is worth what you pay for it.

Thanks,

Mike
 
http://www.lapolicegear.com/tabaoutbag.html - $38.99 + S/H.

America's #1 selling all purpose tactical gear bag!

Available in Black, OD Green, and Tan

This bag was originally designed for law enforcement (LAPD) and some of our friends in the U.S. military. Our earlier Bail-Out Bags are still in heavy daily use with: LAPD, San Jose P.D., Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office, San Francisco P.D. and individual officers across the country. They were designed from the ground up to be the ultimate personal gear carry/last resort bailout bag.

"Gen 5" Improvements:


Polyester lining to protect your delicate items from scratching
Plasiticoat treated YKK Metal Zipper Bat Handles to reduce Possibility of corrosion caused by your working environment.
Now by popular demand, they are available in OLIVE DRAB, BLACK, or Desert Tan
Wider, more comfortable removable shoulder strap
Old 5 Cell, flashlight pocket has been replaced with a tubular pocket to hold irregular items even your emergency shaving kit and toothbrush.
NEW LOWER PRICE!!
The "Gen 5" Still Has These Important Features:


Only YKK brand zippers and real Velcro used throughout
Hidden full size gun pocket.
Two adjustable side pockets for radios.
Large main pocket has a removable stiffener/divider system to organize gear.
"Stinger/Surefire"(tm) pocket.
Two pen pockets.
Tactical illuminator pocket.
Four accessory pockets for gun magazines, etc with Velcro closures.
Large side zippered pocket for wallet, passport, keys and other valuables.
The bag measures approximately 14" x 10" x 6"
Padded Removable Shoulder Strap INCLUDED.
Carry Handles Of Heavy Nylon Webbing, Running The Entire length and across the bottom for extra secure support.
Large YKK Zippers With Para cord Pulls (for when your fine motor skills are shutting down or when it's just plain cold).
Velcro Patch on side pocket to attach name tape, flight suit tag or unit patch.

This is by far the most popular smaller sized gear bag we have ever sold!
Click to expand...

Well, this seems pretty inexpensive yet still functional...ya got 2 Velcro-flap pouches on the side sized for 2X AR 30-rd mags, so 1 AK mag should fit OK(maybe a little loosely) in each. Or, carry the mags in the main compartment, and rig the divider to separate loaded mags from empties or partial mags that you retain. Velcro your agency patch on the side pocket for ID. Backup radio, cell phone, flashlight, spare batteries, spare cuffs or a handful of long zip-ties, coupla spare pistol mags, 3-6 20-rd. boxes of rifle ammo, blowout kit, maybe small digital camera for evidence-gathering, monocular or compact binos for observation, handful of PowerBars or a stripped-out MRE for emergency rations.

http://www.lapolicegear.com/t2camapo.html - $14.99 + S/H.

1000D maximum abrasion resistant Cordura triple bandolier pouch holds 9-30 round .223 caliber magazines. Double layers at points requiring increased strength. Double layer high tensile strength. UV stabilized webbing. Fully adjustable extra-length double layer flaps with full-length Velcro closures permit use with all .233 magazines including those with mag pullers. 4 black steel D rings mounted at each corner allow 4 position carry. Grommets at pouch bottoms for drainage.

Features
Abrasion Resistant 1000D Nylon Fabric
Double Layer UV Stabilized Heavy-Weight Webbing
Bar-Tack Sewn to Reinforce all Critical Stress Points
Full Adjustable, Extra Length Flap with Velcro Closure for Maximum Security
M.O.L.L.E. Mounting System
Attach to Vest or Pack Interweaving M.O.L.L.E. Strap through M.O.L.L.E. Webbing or Attach to Belt
M.O.L.L.E. Strap is Reinforced with PVC Inserts to Stiffen the Strap and Assist in Attachment
Matte Black Steel M.O.L.L.E. Strap Snaps
Carries 9 – 30 Round .223 Caliber Magazines
Click to expand...

I have one, and it carries 6 AK mags just fine. Sling it over your neck/shoulder while dashing from your cruiser to the incident scene, adjust the carry as needed when time allows. I'd get a couple of snap-hooks and tri-glide buckles and a length of nylon strapping from a local surplus or hiking store, and make a second strap that you could run around your torso/waist as needed to secure the unit from flopping/banging around while running. Pin or clip a spare badge or ID card on for IFF.

http://www.spectergear.com/mk2_chest_rig.htm - $76.95 + S/H.

M-1 Mk-2 Chest Carrier

Chest carriers are an excellent load bearing concept. Not as cumbersome as a full vest, good balance characteristics, very stable during movement, and comfortable while seated in a vehicle. However, nearly all chest carrier designs are intended for military applications. If your operational profile doesn't include carrying 8-12 spare magazines, as well as additional sustainment gear, you often end up with a rig that's much bulkier than you need.

Law enforcement operations, whether conventional or tactical, rarely call for such a load out. In our experience, the standard law enforcement carbine ammo loadout is (4) 30 round magazines. (1) in the weapon and (3) spares.

With this loadout in mind, we designed this chest carrier specifically to meet law enforcement needs. Additionally, we've added a good degree of flexibility and modularity so the carrier can be tailored for your specific needs, while at the same time providing you with a rig that's trim, compact, comfortable, and mission specific.

Features:

The magazine pouches feature adjustable flaps which allow either (3) 30 round 5.56mm magazines, (3) 20 round 7.62NATO type magazines, (3) 30 round AK-47 magazines or (6) 30 round 9mm SMG magazines to be carried in the magazine pouch assembly.

3 row/3 channel PALS/MOLLE compatible modular webbing strips on each side of the magazine pouch assembly allow for attachment of additional PALS/MOLLE compatible pouches to the carrier. The PALS/MOLLE webbing is attached to the carrier with heavy duty 56 stitch bartacks applied by state of the art programmable BAS machines.

The carrier is lined with multiple layers of ballistic nylon to prevent stitch pull through.

The 2" wide unpadded adjustable shoulder straps distribute the load nicely, while minimizing bulk and interference with shouldering of the long gun.

The shoulder straps and back strap feature heavy duty side release buckles at all attachment points for rapid disengagement from the rig.

As with all of our products, this item is made in the USA using only top quality materials and manufacturing procedures.
Click to expand...

More high-speed/low-drag than the ChiCom chest rigs, but should be plenty durable and quicker to don/ditch. Hang pouches for whatever you want to carry on the MOLLE strips.

Hope you find something that works out well for you!
 
That is a very nice looking bailout bag for the price, Kor. Have you used it?

Thanks for the input, guys.
 
I Have had good fortune with Maxpedition gear

One of these
http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=4&idproduct=6

With one of these on it
http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=228

I have one of these as well
http://www.onesourcetactical.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=453&HS=1

Not as well built as Max stuff but very well built

This stuff is pricey but very well built

You can use the versipack with mags in the Nalgene carrier and then dump them in the roly poly

Just sharing
Kid
 
For magazine/gear carry, I bought the following. For me, it was for general patrol use and for an active shooter scenario. Since I only live about 300 feet from the High/Middle School campus and about a block from the Elementary School, I'm sure to get a call if off-duty and time will be of the essence- no time to waste putting on a specialty vest and all the accessories.

http://www.eagleindustries.com/prd_detail.asp?ProdID=188&CatID=94&SubCatID=94

I was looking for something simple, that I could just throw over my shoulder and go if needed. This seems to work well for that purpose. It has two rather large, roomy compartments under the single flap closure. The velcro closing it is good quality and of ample size (about 1" wide and the entire length of the flap) and the bag itself seems very well made, especially for the price. Both pockets are the same size. One holds 2-30rd and 2-20rd AR mags with some room to spare; it should hold 4, maybe 6, 30rd AR mags with little trouble. I haven't tried it with AK mags, each pocket should hold 4 30rd mags but may bulge a little. In the second pocket, I have a 1qt Nalgene bottle and a couple of mags for my Glock 21 duty weapon with some room to spare. It would hold some basic med supplies (bandages and dressings) and I may change out the Nalgene and pistol mags for this as soon as I can talk to one of the City's EMTs and raid some of their supplies. They are inexpensive, too- I think I paid ~$30.00 from a police supply place when I got mine (Eagle was out of them at the time). Just something else to think about when making your decision.

I can't help you much with the ID thing. That's one of the advantages of working for a small Department- I know all of the Officers that work here well and they all, likewise, know me, so the chances of me getting shot by them by accident, even if in jeans and a tee/sweatshirt, are minimal. Have you looked into one of those light jackets that have the pull-out panels that say "POLICE" or something similar? Makes sense to me, anyway. Good luck with your decision.

Bub

Edited to add since the pic doesn't show it well- It's a shoulder bag with a nice, wide strap. Just sling it over your shoulder like a bandoleer and go with it.
 
Great options. Thanks guys.

Anyone know who has the chicom type 63 chest bandos in stock? I'm not really sold one way or other yet, but the one place I found that has them wants $30 for them...and that puts me most of the way to a purpose-built bail-out bag. Just tryin' to reasearch my options.

Mike
 
Hi All

Coronach May I make a suggestion please (Only good feelings meant Bro)

You say that your weapon will be a SAR. An AK clone.

As a civilian if I was in a danger zone and I saw a man running with a milsurp chest bandoleer and an AK I would be concerned. Even if I saw a jacket that said police on it. (Easily bought online)

Dont get me wrong...I have nothing against AKs or chest rigs. But like a friend of mine who is in the Border Patrol said to me one day. "I have only seen the bad guys carrying AKs"

He is wrong of course but that is unfortunately the worlds perception.

Isnt perception a bad thing

Picture it two men running and screaming in a foreign tongue that a little girl is trapped under a car.

One man is in a turban and middle eastern garb

The other is dressed like a German

Which one causes fear in you first?

Just trying to help
Kid
 
Oh, it's a concern. However, so is theft, etc. In truth, I don't think most people would recognize my AK as an AK. The furniture is black, it has a red dot on an Ultimak rail, and this kind of breaks up the "classic" AK lines. We would recognize it instantly, but many people would not.

I agree that an AR looks more "police".

Mike
 
Have you looked into one of those light jackets that have the pull-out panels that say "POLICE" or something similar?
Click to expand...
That's my current thought. I figure that even if the bag says
POLICE
Click to expand...
on it, it's better to have an outer garment that says
POLICE
Click to expand...
on general principle.

Mike
 
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Coronach, I haven't used the LA Police Gear bag, but I've got a couple of HawkePak Rifle Bug Out Bags:

http://www.onesourcetactical.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=453&HS=1

I've used them in a carbine course, and I actually think it's more practical for a civilian or plainclothes officer than a vest or chest-rig - you can grab-n-go, sling it over your neck/shoulder on the run, or just carry it around openly from the get-go, slung across your torso like any other "messenger bag." A uniformed officer has an "excuse" in the minds of Joe Bagadonuts and Susie Soccermom for wearing a chest rig, assault vest, or a go-bag with exposed mag pouches(or for running around on the streets on foot with an un-cased rifle in hand in the first place); someone in civvies/mufti needs a bag with either internal mag pouches or a flap to cover external mag pouches.

See also the Diamondback Tactical/BattleLab E&E Bag(which was, naturally, ripped off by BlackHawk):

http://www.diamondbacktactical.com/BattleLab-Escape-Evasion-Bag-P277C128.aspx

And also, the "SneakyBag" Full Size and Compact Rifle Fighting Bags:

http://www.onesourcetactical.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=921
http://www.onesourcetactical.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1057

Of course, these lower-profile bags are gonna run $90+, but they're all well-built and at least reasonably discreet. If you don't think discretion and public image is going to be an issue when you have an active shooter call and you've unlimbered your patrol rifle, :what: the LA Police Gear bag should work just fine.
 
For this gear, discretion is not a concern. I figure the presence of mag pouches won't alarm someone who is not alarmed by the AK at low ready. ;)

I agree that in many instances, a low-profile bag is a very good idea, though. I'm just not concerned about that for this particular piece of gear. I've decided to buy a surplus AK chest rig and see how well I like it. Worst case scenario is I end up buying something else, like the LA Bail-Out bag. Then I'll be out $15 and have an extra AK chest rig.

Keep the suggestions coming, though. It's good info.

Mike
 
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Man, what a great thread! In a SHTF scenario I would appear to be a bad guy (in some peoples eyes ((if they saw my ninja butt, lol)) ) 'cause I'm an SAR1 believer also. Along with a few other, longer, reach-out-'n-touch platforms. :D Thank you so much for these web sites! MOAR!

P.S. I may be out on a limb here but the chest mag holders just scream out TERRORIST to my media-soaked mind. Much more so than any belt/waistline config. Maybe that's just me...
 
FYI the Maxpedition Rolypolly (sp.?) isn't a great choice for AK magazines. It is what it's described as, and perfectly, at that -- a carrier for seven 30-round AR magazines. AK magazines don't fit well and seriously mess with the longevity of the fabric.
 
I've kinda used this pattern for my own SHTF AK platform

http://www.alpharubicon.com/prepinfo/chicomakchestpouchspike.htm
I actualy removed one of the straps alltogether and I wear it on my left side, hanging over my head. All so i removed the top and flaps, and put a piece of shock cord on instead to hold the Magazines in the pockets. Though I think they are deep enough to not need the shock cord, better safe than sorry.
 
You might try http://thevestguy.com/

He makes whatever you want to order (or has his regular stuff you can get, too)

We like him over at the Saiga forum (he makes mag pouches and vests for the 10 round 12ga mags).
Click to expand...

If that's the same guy that used to run COPS911.com, which it looks to be based on the site, I had to have my bank do a credit chargeback on undelivered merchandise with him. I ordered several hundred dollars worth of paintball gear from him, got stiffed on an order, and was ignored for months.

You're taking your chances dealing with him.
 
couple options to looke at:

County Comm has a bunch of nice, economical options:
County Comm

The Maratec Force Multiplier for $56 in there might be just what you're looking for. The Gen 5 bailbout bag seems pretty nice at $29, too.
 
That is a very nice looking bailout bag for the price, Kor. Have you used it?
Click to expand...

I have, for years. It works. One feature often overlooked that will work well for you is the capability to velcro embroidered tags onto it and remove them as needed.
 
I've actually been pondering much the same question as you, but I've got a yugo underfolder myself. I prefer 20rd mags in it though. I have looked at 5.11's Tactical Vest, http://www.511tactical.com/511-tactical-vest-80001.html. Its got lots of pockets and it looks much less threatening than a full out chest rig or molle vest. Lots of pockets for anything else you'd need. Another issue I've been looking at is suspenders. While they are hideous, I have a gut, and I have NO ass. Just a back and then legs. This makes carry hard as it stands. So, I've been giving the suspender issue a lot of thought lately. Try running at full speed with a belt full of crap. Yikes.
 
just got an email from LA Police Gear about a super sale on their Bail Out Bag. $19.99, down from $60.

check it out here
 
glad i could help!

let me know what you think of them... i love my maxpedition MPB's and just can't justify another bag at this point.
 
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