AR Mags on thigh

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

I have been experimenting with different setups for my AR. I usually have magazines mounted to a MOLLE vest, but I also have a MOLLE thigh platform for the left leg. I put the mag pouches on there and it seems to be a pretty quick draw, and also works while prone. Any of you more learned and experienced types see any negatives to having AR mags on the left thigh as oppose to the chest/stomach? I know "whatever's comfortable" but I'm just wondering if there's something I'm not considering.

*I am trying to get into more tactical carbine classes, and I'm in the Army/getting into LE so this does have some practical value to me beyond fun.

 

[taliv]

i hate crap bouncing around on my legs while i'm running. drives me nuts. might be ok for classes/matches that don't involve much movement.

 

[Ratdog68]

I'd say, whatever works good for you is a go. Having some on your thigh for prone or seated could be a good thing when the need to stay on target is a priority. No reason you can't have some at the ready on your chest/stomach too.

 

[GunsBeerFreedom]

I always thought the thigh magazine holder was stupid personally. They never fit good, you constantly have to tighten/loosen them, and worst of all it's an unnatural movement to go and grab a magazine.

But obviously this is just my experience.

 

[Broken11b]

Some people use the thigh rigs, most just cant stand them. Put it on and go on a ruck-march or a patrol and then decide if you can handle them.

They do have some uses though, and it does provide the ability to carry more ammo etc.

One other thing to consider, they are near impossible to access while in a loaded vehicle, thats why many people choose to keep essentials on the chest.

 

[Carter]

In LE if you are ever in a situation where you need that much ammo you'll probably have the entire SWAT team next to you. From my experiences the only thigh rigs SWAT teams use were drop down holsters (but I'm sure gear set ups change drastically over the country). You'd probably never need it nor be allowed to carry it (especially as a regular patrolman). I'd go for a good molle vest setup that allows you to maximize your loadout (all sidearm accessories else where would be a start maybe). But for a carbine course or tactical course it would probably come in handy.

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

Well I'm not talking about carring a full load on the vest, and then a bunch more on the thigh. So it's not really a "that much ammo" deal. I mean splitting the ammo between the chest and thigh, or just doing the thigh altogether and leaving the vest for other gear. I use the same vest when I'm doing prone precision rifle shooting, so part of my motivation was being able to have my AR mags be easily detachable and out of the way when I'm prone, but still accessible.

 

[Ratdog68]

The one thing to follow though... don't "train" with different equipment than what you'll be using when it counts. If you're ok'd to use the thigh rig, and it works for you... then yes. If you're NOT ok'd to use it... then I wouldn't train with it. Under stress your body will revert to what's done in training.

For example... years ago, cops were trained (at the range) to dump their empty brass from their wheel guns into their hand and deposit them into a can, then reload. What they found (later, on the street) was, dead cops with empty brass in their hands.

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

That's why I'm trying to find one setup that works for the most situations. So when I'm doing precision rifle or AR, my mags and ammo for each aren't moving around. If I have the AR ammo on the thigh no matter what I'm doing, it seems more consistent.

 

[LRS_Ranger]

I don't put anything on my thighs. It's uncomfortable and tends to catch on things, not good if you are trying to get off a helo or out of a truck in the middle of the night. Might work for a carbine class or something, but for me it's an operational no go.

 

[Polar Express]

I've been giving this idea some thought as well, and I appreciate all the input from folks that have used it in the field. Thanks.

PE

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

Ranger, do you carry an M9, and if so, where?

 

[C-grunt]

My department just authorized them for patrol use but you cant have it on unless you are deploying the rifle.

The other rifle guy on my squad just bought one and he likes it. It has a clip latch that stays on his belt. he keps the rig in the rifle bag and just grabs it when he grabs his rifle.

It works good for patrol use, at least for us, because it gives access to mags easier than what they give us. They give us one of the buttstock pouches that doesnt work that well. So usually I have one 20 rounder in the gun and two in my pockets.

For military use, I wouldnt run one. Definitely not as good as a chest rig.

 

[LRS_Ranger]

If I did carry an M9, (which I didn't most of the time) I carried it on my hip in a blackhawk serpa. I wear a TAG rack and I found it best to use a fobus holster and put it on my cummerbund, just aft of my plate. out of the way and fast on the draw if I needed it.

 

[Coronach]

I think they work well for LE. Chances are you won't be doing any extended patrolling with one, just bailing out of the car, grabbing the rifle and pack, and trotting down to where the fun is happening. As such, their main advantage (the ability to be added to your regular kit without much fuss or muss) is maximized and their main disadvantage (discomfort) is minimized. A lot of guys I know run a loop with a fastex buckle to their inner belt and leave it on for the whole shift, so they can just grab the thigh rig when they need it, strap it around the leg, hook the main strap to the fastex buckle, and go.

Personally, I went the opposite direction. I carry a 30-round mag on my belt and leave it there for the whole shift. I run a plate carrier with a level IV plate and put additional mags there. That way, if I have to bail out fast, I have one spare mag with me no matter what, and if I have time to grab the plates, I have as much as I will need, unless it's a really bad day to be at work.

I do think it is an absolute necessity to have one spare mag with you, at least. Mag-related malfunctions top the list of ways to jam up an AR, and if your on-board mag chooses a poor time to retire on duty, you need to have another one to feed the gun.

Mike

 

[jayjaypunisher]

used one the first time downrange for about a week, remember the thing will weigh alot more than you think with loaded mags and that was constantly pulling down on the belt, so move it to the OTV belt but still pulled quite annoyingly. Also will cause some good heat rash in super hot climates and when your on the move alot, personnaly dont like em

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Like several others, I dislike thigh rigs. Being on the leg, the movement magnifies weight. I also like having my magazines up closer to my "working space", so I like the chest rig for that, though it has some downsides when you are prone. Overall, I think the support side belt is probably the best place for them.

If you've watched the Magpul Dynamics video, they talk about keeping the immediate reload on the belt and using the chest rig to refill the belt pouch during downtime.

 

[NMGonzo]

4 and 7 o'clock waist height.

Won't bother you much even if you fall flat on your back.

 

[taliv]

If you've watched the Magpul Dynamics video, they talk about keeping the immediate reload on the belt and using the chest rig to refill the belt pouch during downtime.

they probably got that from me copycats


jk

 

[benEzra]

I experimented with a 2-pouch thigh rig for shooting rifle matches, and have gotten away from it. It is fine for standing still or walking slowly, but if you have to run, it slows you down and batters you unless it is cinched TIGHT. And cinching it tight is difficult, because your legs change diameter when you go from a standing to a sitting position, and if it's tight enough for standing, it's way too tight when sitting, and if it fits sitting, it's too lose for standing.

They're also terribly slow to put on, and they cause that pant leg to want to ride up.

For matches, I think I'd lean toward a mag carrier on the belt, but for LE duty you might consider something you can grab and go, either a throw-on vest with pouches or a "active shooter bag".

http://www.lapolicegear.com/511-active-shooters-bag.html

http://www.tacticaltailor.com/activeshooterbag.aspx

or if you only need a couple of pouches:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Maxpediti...0000003260430&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=13224348

It seems to me that if you are a LEO and need to pull the rifle out of the roof rack or trunk in an incident, you may not have time to set up a thigh rig properly (or if you do, that time could be better spent doing something else).

 

[Dionysusigma]

I experimented with a 2-pouch thigh rig for shooting rifle matches, and have gotten away from it. It is fine for standing still or walking slowly, but if you have to run, it slows you down and batters you unless it is cinched TIGHT. And cinching it tight is difficult, because your legs change diameter when you go from a standing to a sitting position, and if it's tight enough for standing, it's way too tight when sitting, and if it fits sitting, it's too lose for standing.

It seems to me that if you are a LEO and need to pull the rifle out of the roof rack or trunk in an incident, you may not have time to set up a thigh rig properly (or if you do, that time could be better spent doing something else).

I see a simple and economical solution, and I'm not sure why they never went this route: elastic straps, secured with velcro. Cinch as tight as you need it, it still stretches when squatting or sitting or standing back up. If someone makes a million bucks off of this, all I ask is for two of them, free.

 

[Mags]

I use drop leg holster for pistols (not pistol magazines) on the strong side for a natural draw for me and ease of access when riding in a vehicle. I find chest mag holsters to be very natural and for pistols very expedient when mounted upside down (make sure you have some sort of retention like friction or snaps).

I also like weak side belt holsters for rifle and pistol mags but the drop leg holsters are too low for me and I find myself reaching during a mag swap, even worse are the drop leg pistol holster that have a mag pouch on the strong side with the pistol that is the most uncomfortable mag change ever and you are really reaching across your whole body.

Another option I just seen at a recent match was a "battle belt" which looks like a pretty comfy molle belt. I don't know for sure though it could just be airsoft crap. Here is a link to one.

Of course these are my experiences everybody is built differently so whatever works for you, works for you.

 

[psyopspec]

My M-9 rides on the right-hand thigh when the armor goes on, but I like keeping the left clear to have access to the pockets. Cell phone, gloves, eyepro, notebook, and pen go on the left side pockets.

No problem with having mags on the chest for me, and if it's not broke (and if it's relatively comfortable) why fix it?

 

[jayjaypunisher]

is that a Cuck Norris tactical fanny pack I just saw? AWSOOOOOOOOOOOME!

 

[waterhouse]

Personally, I went the opposite direction. I carry a 30-round mag on my belt and leave it there for the whole shift.

I've seen a bunch of local cops do this, except with 20 rounders. I don't know if that is just a comfort thing or policy, but I like the idea of having one on the belt. Smart idea.