Load Bearing Vests (LBVs)/Tactical Vests for Home Defense and/or Rollout Kits

[mljdeckard]

I have a G.I. vest I use for hunting, (Which is kept seperate from my guard issue gear,) and I fill the pouches with various hunting and survival gear. I also have a drop-down holster I use for my .45, 2 quarts of water, etc.

I cut back the gear I carry for hunting, and then, a few years ago, me and my brother took a wrong turn and what was supposed to be an afternoon walk turned into finding the road by moonlight. Ever since then, I've decided that if I'm leaving the truck out of sight, I'm going to be prepared to walk 50 miles.

For SHTF, I think you should be well prepared for anything that might happen. your appearance and the gear you roll with should be versatile and quickly adaptable.

 

[Nightcrawler]

HERE is the Specter chest rig I use.

It'll hold three magazines of nearly any sort, including most .223/30, .308/20, and 7.62x39/30. It's very well made.

If a shotgun is your choice, I'd look at this THIGH POUCH. You can just snap it on to whatever belt you're using and you've got twenty shells at the ready. Otherwise, maybe a bandolier?

 

[kfranz]

The ever popular Chicom sports bra is a pretty low profile way to lug a few mags around. Wear it low and it'll hide under a coat/fleece without drawing undue attention. Without letting my imagination run wild, I can't see the need for a minivan drivin' small midwest city dwelling grey man like me to have more than a few rounds of anything at hand, so even the $10 CSB will probably be money wasted.

Not that that has stopped me from accumulating a startling large bin of various molle stuff....

 

[Thefabulousfink]

I'd have to agree with "less is more" for 90% of the situations that most civilians are going to get into. A good gunbelt or a GI web belt (maybe with the 'H' suspenders) should cary all you need: Holster, 1 or 2 mag pouches, and a dump pouch for extras (light, phone, water bottle, whatever). Even that is a lot to carry and you aren't going to hide it without a large jacket. Any more is more likely to slow you down, tire you out, and attract un-wanted attention than be useful.

In the few rare extreme cases like Katrina or the LA Riots, where you might have to guard you family, scare/fight off looters, or help people, you can supplement your basic belt with more gear. Get a camelback for water, add a few more mag pouches, and fill a butt pack with food, tools, and first-aid supplies. This whole kit can probably be assembled at an army surplus store for much less than any of those fancy Molle vests.

Also, While it is not very likely that you would ever need the entire kit, you would probably use each of the components often enough to justify having it. The belt would be handy when out camping/hunting, the butpack would be a great emergency bag for the car, and you'll be supprised how offten you'll use the camelback.

 

[Roadwild17]

I've got one of those chin-com chest mag carrying rigs. All I can say for it is, I haven't lost a mag yet, so that's a plus. I have a few extras on there, (flash light, 2 pistol mags, rope, knife, 2 trauma kits with quick-clot). Its kinda set up as a fast response vest. When I add the but pack to the mix (food for a day or so, tp, water, more general first aid, snake bite kit, survival tin, a few zip ties) If I need more storage, I can add the thigh rigs for whatever.

My general rule, If my shotgun with side saddle and but cuff (13 rds buck & 5 slugs) cant handle it, I dont need to be there!

 

[Bix]

I have an SO Tech Hellcat that I've used to keep extra ammunition on my body during carbine classes.

http://www.specopstech.com/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=1553

For that purpose, it's great - but I can't imagine myself using it for much else.

 

[LAK]

I think they are a very practical garment (or piece of gear however you choose to view them). I avoid velcro; noisy, snags in very windy conditions, and collects all kinds of junk as a "bonus". Snap closures can be virtually silent, stay open when opened even in a violent storm, and are easily replaceable with some spares and very simple tools. Nothing wrong with good old fashioned button closure either.

On a severe budget, a snug fitting denim or other jacket can be converted into a very practical vest. Extra "pouches" and other attachments can be hand sewn or hand riveted on; taking care to use some gusseting material where needed at heavy stress points.

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[pdb]

IMHO, if you've got a trunk gun, there's no reason why you shouldn't have a vest or bandolier with the gun ready to go. If you've got time to get the trunk gun, or the closet gun, you've got time to throw on a vest.

If you don't want to go with a full-on vest, the bug-out-bag or roll out bag has a lot to offer. The Hawkepak is pretty much the king mack daddy, but it's $85. I picked up one of these. for $15 at a funshow. I keep 7 AR mags, 2 pistol mags, a Surefire G2, some spare batteries, a first aid kit, some power bars and two small water bottles in mine. Sling it over your shoulder, and it looks like a camera bag.

If you run an AK, CTD has these, they're small, but they only hold magazines.

If you go with a vest, I've come to prefer the plate carriers, since you can store them with one side unbuckled, and slip it on like a t-shirt. Vests with lots of straps like the MAV or the Commie AK rigs look like they'd be difficult to get into in a hurry.

For shotguns, I keep one of those cheap 25 round shell belts nearby. You can put one arm through that and strap it on in a second.

 

[TheLastBoyScout]

IMHO, if you've got a trunk gun, there's no reason why you shouldn't have a vest or bandolier with the gun ready to go. If you've got time to get the trunk gun, or the closet gun, you've got time to throw on a vest.

Couldn't agree more.

If its bad enough to be an AK situation, thats not very far at all from being an "AK with a buttload of ammo" situation. Especially for the low cost of a commie chest rig to just throw in the back with the rifle and ammo.

 

[22-rimfire]

I think the load bearing vests are a bit much unless you are in the military. I could see using one for a shooting outing, but for home defense, way overkill.

I have a little belt pouch made by the BucketBoss brand that will hold one AR mag, several handgun mags or speed loaders (loosely). Works for me if I really want to go to the trouble of carrying extra ammunition in my house. Price is about $10. It snaps over a belt.

 

[66912]

+1 PILMAN

 

[possum]

i really like highspeed gear they make great stuff and a few of my army buddies have it but it is a little steep in price right now.i owned a blackhawk recon chest rig with all the pockets and attachments and that is what i used in Iraq instead of what i was issued.

i now have a blackhawk comando chest rig with the 4 ammo pouches and the 2 admin pouches on either side. i like this set up because it uses the big mag pouches that i can use with ar mags, ak 30rd mags. and m1a or other .308 caliber magazines.
here is a pick of my gear that stands ready at all times.
it contains 12 29rd ar mags
12 "00" buckshot in the right admin pouch
and a med kit in the left admin pouch.

 

[Geno]

Outstanding! Thanks for sharing that. I have been looking for nice ones. In most stores, the descriptor "nice" ends me up being shown whatever they have that costs the most. I want function...like this! Again, thanks.

 

[modifiedbrowning]

www.cheaperthandirt.com has relatively inexpensive Chicom gear that seems to be well made. I have a R.A.T. vest from them is pretty nice for the price. I haven't used it for anything but it is nice to have in case of a bugout situation.
The pistol belt option is a good one as well. I have a GI pistol belt with two of the alice clip Ar-15 mag pouches(grenade pockets removed) a double pistol mag holder, a knife and a drop leg holster (also from cheaper than dirt).
The belt was $10 the mag pouches I got in a trade but they can be bought for about $10 the pistol mag holder was $6 and the holster was $15. Not bad for $51.

 

[Jeff White]

I have a Paraclete RAV with level IIIA armor and ceramic plates. It has pouches for 8 AR mags, 4 1911 mags, my BOK, a Surefire M3 Combat light, a 100 oz hydration system, door stops, and other equipment. It's in an Eagle Sigma bag in the trunk of my squad car.

For home defense there is a Colt R6920 with an Aimpoint and 6v Surefire mounted on it in the closet and a 1911 and Surefire C2 on the dresser.

I suppose I could keep my gear in the bedroom and dress out if I had an intruder. But it just seems like overkill to me.

Jeff