Chris Rhines
Member
Backstory - I just got through my first, fairly informal rifle/carbine class. I shot a very nice Daewoo AR-100 and fed it from a Blackhawk double mag pouch on my belt. I was also wearing a Camelback HAWG loaded with extra ammo (along with the far more important water and sunscreen.)
Although my gear worked pretty well, there were a couple of times when I wished that I had everything integrated into a single vest (usually when I tried to ditch my Camelback and got it tangled in the rifle sling. Oops.)
So, with many future classes in mind, I'm looking at getting a load-bearing vest. Looking at my class notes, here are some features that I'd like to have:
- Camelback compatable. This is a must. I emptied a 100oz. bladder of water in one day during the rifle course.
- Smooth, unencumbered firing shoulder (actually, having both shoulders unadorned would be even better.
- Simplicity and slimness are big concerns. I want something that is comfy and easy to move in, way more than I want to be able to hold twenty magazines.
- Modular pouches. This is a 'maybe.' I like the idea of being able to adapt the vest to the situation, but most of the modular vests I've seen have been pretty kludgey.
- Mag pouches that can hold 5.56mm or 7.62mm magazines. Man cannot live by .308, nor by .223 alone.
So, what should I look at? Any other features worth considering? Should I look at something other than a vest? I don't really have a target price in mind, but I'm willing to pay for good product.
I throw the floor open to you all.
Thanks,
Chris
Although my gear worked pretty well, there were a couple of times when I wished that I had everything integrated into a single vest (usually when I tried to ditch my Camelback and got it tangled in the rifle sling. Oops.)
So, with many future classes in mind, I'm looking at getting a load-bearing vest. Looking at my class notes, here are some features that I'd like to have:
- Camelback compatable. This is a must. I emptied a 100oz. bladder of water in one day during the rifle course.
- Smooth, unencumbered firing shoulder (actually, having both shoulders unadorned would be even better.
- Simplicity and slimness are big concerns. I want something that is comfy and easy to move in, way more than I want to be able to hold twenty magazines.
- Modular pouches. This is a 'maybe.' I like the idea of being able to adapt the vest to the situation, but most of the modular vests I've seen have been pretty kludgey.
- Mag pouches that can hold 5.56mm or 7.62mm magazines. Man cannot live by .308, nor by .223 alone.
So, what should I look at? Any other features worth considering? Should I look at something other than a vest? I don't really have a target price in mind, but I'm willing to pay for good product.
I throw the floor open to you all.
Thanks,
Chris