Kinda long, so for all you tl;dr types out there, sorry.
Wasn't sure this would go, but saw a few 'what chest rig/plate carrier to get' posts through the last weeks and decided to post this here.
I wanted some input (which I'm always open to) in regards on how I've set up the plate carrier I've put together over time and use primarily for home defense/carbine courses/whatever. Since I haven't been on a 2 way range in 10 years, I am doubting that there is a huge percentage that this will save my ass one day, but I'd rather not find out the hard way.
Anyways, my main question comes in regards to the pistol and where I've placed it. I have the Velocity Systems/Mayflower APC and have the pistol (Sig226) on a GCode RTI wheel in a GCode holster (vertical) attached to the molle on the carrier's cummerbund at roughly 2 oclock. It is not attached in any way to the front flap where the magazines go or where the release is, and does not interfere with me going prone nor does it interfere with me using my primary rifle.
I hear alot of people say that you should not mount a pistol to your carrier for multiple reasons; makes the draw harder, it interferes with your rifle/mags/whatever, its in the way, can ND easier, easier to damage it, whatever, I've heard it all. The only accepted use of a vertical vest mounted holster I have read is that only use this setup if you are mainly in a vehicle for easier access to the pistol.
Well, here is my rationale to where I think most of that isn't as dire of an issue as people make it sound:
Back when I was in the Bundeswehr and we were deployed, we were issued the P8 (H&K). It was a brick and I never really cared for it. Standard mounting for it was on your hip with a flap top type holster. In the years I was deployed, besides cleaning it and the occasional range trip or pistol pissing contest, I next to never used it. Where it was carried, it was just as difficult to get to and maneuver with in a vehicle as was my primary G36 or G3A3; the only time I could see really needing it was if I was in a very confined vehicle or space at which point I would already have it out. When I went to Hammelburg for my Scharfschützenausbildung we were actually instructed to attach the pistols to our upper chests horizontally via a ghetto attachment system comprised of 550 cord, heavy duty tape and God knows what, put it in a cargo pocket on your leg (I somehow didn't see that going well) or just ditch the sidearm. The main hindrances to the use of the pistol were 1. where it was mounted and 2. the shitty holster that practically took 2 hands to manipulate. With the GCode holster and mount, on my carrier, I have negated both of those issues as well as have allowed myself access to the pistol should I need it. My main philosophy with this is, my primary is my primary. If I need the secondary because the primary cannot be used, chances are its already out and if for some reason its not I then have the secondary setup in a way that makes it readily available.
Now I know people are going to say that I should use a 'warbelt' and/or dropleg holster in conjunction with the carrier, and I've tried both just to see what benefits that have.
The first thing I am going to ask is if you have ever had to run with a drop leg holster on? If the answer is no, please go run in one.
As for the warbelt, its a second lineup of gear for me, more of an option. I like the idea of its utility but I also think that the options it gives you can put you at a disadvantage as well. For example, most warbelts I've seen have a few primary weapon magazines on them, some utility items and the pistol with some magazine pouches for pistol ammo. This now makes you have to choose; am I going to wear both pieces of gear or practically only have 2 primary magazines and my pistol or no pistol. Why do this? Your pistol is there for when you are somewhere your primary cannot be used or to have as a backup should your first weapon have a stoppage/malfunction - thats it. You're not getting into a pistol duel. Why make yourself choose? If you realize that 1-2 pistol mags is probably enough unless you are getting yourself into WAY more trouble than I plan to, rather than that warbelt weighted down with 6 pistol mags hanging off of it you can put the 1 or 2 pistol mags onto the carrier with relatively little added weight and have the pistol atatched in a way that does not interfere with going prone or using your primary weapon and you have everything in 1 package rather than divided over 2 pieces of gear.
I could go on about the warbelt option, and have one but for some reason just can't bring myself to split gear between them both.
Anyways, opinions are welcome. Would love to hear what you guys think as I know there are quite a few people in both 'camps' here and I'm always open to something better.
Thanks
Wasn't sure this would go, but saw a few 'what chest rig/plate carrier to get' posts through the last weeks and decided to post this here.
I wanted some input (which I'm always open to) in regards on how I've set up the plate carrier I've put together over time and use primarily for home defense/carbine courses/whatever. Since I haven't been on a 2 way range in 10 years, I am doubting that there is a huge percentage that this will save my ass one day, but I'd rather not find out the hard way.
Anyways, my main question comes in regards to the pistol and where I've placed it. I have the Velocity Systems/Mayflower APC and have the pistol (Sig226) on a GCode RTI wheel in a GCode holster (vertical) attached to the molle on the carrier's cummerbund at roughly 2 oclock. It is not attached in any way to the front flap where the magazines go or where the release is, and does not interfere with me going prone nor does it interfere with me using my primary rifle.
I hear alot of people say that you should not mount a pistol to your carrier for multiple reasons; makes the draw harder, it interferes with your rifle/mags/whatever, its in the way, can ND easier, easier to damage it, whatever, I've heard it all. The only accepted use of a vertical vest mounted holster I have read is that only use this setup if you are mainly in a vehicle for easier access to the pistol.
Well, here is my rationale to where I think most of that isn't as dire of an issue as people make it sound:
Back when I was in the Bundeswehr and we were deployed, we were issued the P8 (H&K). It was a brick and I never really cared for it. Standard mounting for it was on your hip with a flap top type holster. In the years I was deployed, besides cleaning it and the occasional range trip or pistol pissing contest, I next to never used it. Where it was carried, it was just as difficult to get to and maneuver with in a vehicle as was my primary G36 or G3A3; the only time I could see really needing it was if I was in a very confined vehicle or space at which point I would already have it out. When I went to Hammelburg for my Scharfschützenausbildung we were actually instructed to attach the pistols to our upper chests horizontally via a ghetto attachment system comprised of 550 cord, heavy duty tape and God knows what, put it in a cargo pocket on your leg (I somehow didn't see that going well) or just ditch the sidearm. The main hindrances to the use of the pistol were 1. where it was mounted and 2. the shitty holster that practically took 2 hands to manipulate. With the GCode holster and mount, on my carrier, I have negated both of those issues as well as have allowed myself access to the pistol should I need it. My main philosophy with this is, my primary is my primary. If I need the secondary because the primary cannot be used, chances are its already out and if for some reason its not I then have the secondary setup in a way that makes it readily available.
Now I know people are going to say that I should use a 'warbelt' and/or dropleg holster in conjunction with the carrier, and I've tried both just to see what benefits that have.
The first thing I am going to ask is if you have ever had to run with a drop leg holster on? If the answer is no, please go run in one.
As for the warbelt, its a second lineup of gear for me, more of an option. I like the idea of its utility but I also think that the options it gives you can put you at a disadvantage as well. For example, most warbelts I've seen have a few primary weapon magazines on them, some utility items and the pistol with some magazine pouches for pistol ammo. This now makes you have to choose; am I going to wear both pieces of gear or practically only have 2 primary magazines and my pistol or no pistol. Why do this? Your pistol is there for when you are somewhere your primary cannot be used or to have as a backup should your first weapon have a stoppage/malfunction - thats it. You're not getting into a pistol duel. Why make yourself choose? If you realize that 1-2 pistol mags is probably enough unless you are getting yourself into WAY more trouble than I plan to, rather than that warbelt weighted down with 6 pistol mags hanging off of it you can put the 1 or 2 pistol mags onto the carrier with relatively little added weight and have the pistol atatched in a way that does not interfere with going prone or using your primary weapon and you have everything in 1 package rather than divided over 2 pieces of gear.
I could go on about the warbelt option, and have one but for some reason just can't bring myself to split gear between them both.
Anyways, opinions are welcome. Would love to hear what you guys think as I know there are quite a few people in both 'camps' here and I'm always open to something better.
Thanks
