On the advice of a reader I ended up looking into then getting a TAG Banshee plate carrier. The reviews were favorable and it looks like a lot of kit for the money (including when compared to the Condor equivalent). I also ordered a chest rig to go with it. Plates will be ordered shortly after we go back to the states. I am uncomfortable ordering then without having my hands on the carrier they will go in AND being able to personally take delivery of them. If I order a package and something is wrong getting on the phone the next day is a lot more likely to lead to a positive end then if it is months down the road.
My vision is to keep the plate carrier set up in a sort of home defense load out. Probably 3 rifle mags, 2-3 pistol mags, an IFAK and a holster. I generally do not like holsters on body armor but for a throw on at 3am setup it seems to be the way to go. Toss on plate carrier, stuff handgun in holster, grab long gun and go. Doesn't get much simpler. I will have a chest rig (got a couple options here with another on the way) in case there is the need to rapidly reconfigure for a different purpose. Taking off some MOLLE stuff only takes a few minutes. It would obviously be set up how I want it and loaded mags could be kept in there if the situation called for it.
Up to now most of what I've got in terms of tactical type gear is stuff that has been picked up for work. I am pretty psyched about getting a start on the setup of personal gear that I want to have. Once I get some plates this will be a solid start. Likely I will pick up the few various pouches I will need and a warbelt of some sort in the next couple months.
Have you been looking at your gear situation and filling the gaps?
My vision is to keep the plate carrier set up in a sort of home defense load out. Probably 3 rifle mags, 2-3 pistol mags, an IFAK and a holster. I generally do not like holsters on body armor but for a throw on at 3am setup it seems to be the way to go. Toss on plate carrier, stuff handgun in holster, grab long gun and go. Doesn't get much simpler. I will have a chest rig (got a couple options here with another on the way) in case there is the need to rapidly reconfigure for a different purpose. Taking off some MOLLE stuff only takes a few minutes. It would obviously be set up how I want it and loaded mags could be kept in there if the situation called for it.
Up to now most of what I've got in terms of tactical type gear is stuff that has been picked up for work. I am pretty psyched about getting a start on the setup of personal gear that I want to have. Once I get some plates this will be a solid start. Likely I will pick up the few various pouches I will need and a warbelt of some sort in the next couple months.
Have you been looking at your gear situation and filling the gaps?
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12 comments:
Cool!
My Condor was acquired in a partial barter for $50 and a shotgun. Finances (and having an "extra" shotgun) dictated my choice.
Let us know how your PC turns out!
AP
I am with you on the pistol holster on the chest rig.
The one I have doesn't keep the pistol from moving around, but it's secure. I think I would need a .50 to fill the holster.
It's a nice kit, keep it on the back of the bedroom door or whatever so you can grab and gun.
AP, Good swap. The difference was like $40 so it was an easy choice.
Max, Interesting. What kind of holster is it? I have seen a few setups that are pretty secure. The SERPA mount seems solid if you like them. Anything that mounts MOLLE style should be good.
The holster itself is secure, a good MOLLEE style rig. The actual holster just makes my .45 or 9mm swim like they are on a diet.
I would have to look at home and see what I have now and have tried out. I'm going to have to bite the bullet and hit up the local over the top price shop and find one that fits nice. It's just hard to buy a complete rig and have it all work, good thing I like hip riding my pistols.
I've messed around with a few similar rigs...
When I was downrange I used the "everything in the plate carrier" approach plus a shoulder holster for the handgun.
In another city I used soft police vest plus a pair of 5.11 pants with all the pockets loaded with gear and a holstered handgun on the belt.
Now I have the soft vest and a fully rigged out "war belt" on a MOLLE and/or ALICE rig with 2xAR mags, 2xpistol mags, a pistol (with third mag), a cell phone, and a light.
On all these rigs I keep the pistol in condition 3. I don't like having handguns in condition 1 around unless they're on my person.
It really wasn't so much an issue of buying new stuff as putting together stuff I already had in a usable format that best met my needs.
I figure 60 rounds of 5.56 and 45 rounds of pistol ammo is plenty for most civilian defensive scenarios, especially considering that DW has a similar loadout (except she's got buckshot in lieu of 5.56). I also like knowing that I have a light and cell phone on my person.
(I should add that the PC came with plates... that's why it was worth the shotgun and money...)
@Max, Got to have a holster that fits the gun. The "one size fits most" options are often not the way to go.
@Chris, The slick plate carrier and war belt option is not one I had considered. That may be worth considering.
3-4 mags per gun is IMO plenty for a home defense type scenario. If I was going outside of the home I would want a heavier load out but that is easy enough to do by tossing on a chest rig.
@AP, By context I sorta figured that.
Ryan,
Shellbacktactical.com has these PCs starting at $135 right now.
http://shellbacktactical.com/bansheerifleplatecarrier.aspx?utm_source=BANSHEE%27S+IN+STOCK&utm_campaign=BANSHEE+IN+STOCK&utm_medium=email
Kang
III
Kang, Thanks. I bought one earlier this week for about that price.
I have a TT MOLLE holster that is supposed to be fitted for a G19....It won't even hold a G20 w/WML.....I love TT's stuff, but my POS Blackhawk fits the gun a LOT better. Of course, I don't do the vest mounted holster either. I need to break down and get the SafariLand holster...
ND,
JM
JM, For the nylon type holsters I sometimes wonder how much different the say Sig P220 model is really different from the Glock 17 is different from the HK USP .45, etc. This confirms my suspicion.
I don't like vest mounted holsters but the necessity of getting kitted up fast gave them an edge.Chris's idea of running a warbelt and a slick vest for home defense seems like a good option to me. That way I am reaching the same place for the gun and mags and I would otherwise.
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