I am currently bouncing back and forth from assaulter to sniper. I love the idea of working so many areas but when it comes to my 1st and 2nd line kit it is a pain in the ass. I basically have two sets of body armor, a Maritime CIRAS and a Eagle Rhodesian Rig. The primary reason I run two different chest rigs is because of magazines. When I am working as an assaulter I run an M4, in a sniper role I either have an SR25 or Bolt gun with AICS mags. Finally I think I can slim down and go with just the CIRAS for all occasions because of the HSGI (High Speed Gear Industries) Taco mag pouch.
The Taco is a one size fits most set up really fits the bill for someone using multiple weapon systems. Like all things HSGI, it is built like a tank. The Taco easily adapts to multiple mags (AK, AR10, AR15, FAL, AICS 10 rd, AW300 10rd, smoke grenades, large bangs, water bottles). It allows a guy like me to simple change mags rather than ripping off one chest rig just jock up with another.
Here is a pic of the Taco compared with a Tactical Tailor standard M4 mag pouch. Note the Taco is shorter than the TT pouch. I found that I like this a ton better for mag changes and if the bungees are adjusted properly it in no way lacks in retention.
Here is a pic of an SR25 steel mag, Pmag308 and an AICS 10rd mag. Stacking three mags side by side for larger 308 type mags, especially the 308 PMAG, you need to leave a row of webbing between each pouch or else the middle pouches get a bit cramped.
I still need to run these through the paces a bit more but my initial impression from a functionality stand point is they rock. Placing them on kit is a pain in the ass. I have used MALICE clips for years and the Taco is the toughest pouch to work with do to the bungees that share the webbing. Though a little patience, a pair of needle nose and a leatherman you will make it through make sure the kids are not around, I was dropping four letter words left and right. The bungee also worries me for the long term, I worry that after heat/cold temps coupled with UV rays the bungee will deteriorate and it will be a pain to replace, though time will tell. At $30 a pouch they are only going to be picked up by the die hard gear nut or guys who really need them.
The Taco is a one size fits most set up really fits the bill for someone using multiple weapon systems. Like all things HSGI, it is built like a tank. The Taco easily adapts to multiple mags (AK, AR10, AR15, FAL, AICS 10 rd, AW300 10rd, smoke grenades, large bangs, water bottles). It allows a guy like me to simple change mags rather than ripping off one chest rig just jock up with another.
Here is a pic of the Taco compared with a Tactical Tailor standard M4 mag pouch. Note the Taco is shorter than the TT pouch. I found that I like this a ton better for mag changes and if the bungees are adjusted properly it in no way lacks in retention.
Here is a pic of an SR25 steel mag, Pmag308 and an AICS 10rd mag. Stacking three mags side by side for larger 308 type mags, especially the 308 PMAG, you need to leave a row of webbing between each pouch or else the middle pouches get a bit cramped.
I still need to run these through the paces a bit more but my initial impression from a functionality stand point is they rock. Placing them on kit is a pain in the ass. I have used MALICE clips for years and the Taco is the toughest pouch to work with do to the bungees that share the webbing. Though a little patience, a pair of needle nose and a leatherman you will make it through make sure the kids are not around, I was dropping four letter words left and right. The bungee also worries me for the long term, I worry that after heat/cold temps coupled with UV rays the bungee will deteriorate and it will be a pain to replace, though time will tell. At $30 a pouch they are only going to be picked up by the die hard gear nut or guys who really need them.
