D-Day
Member
Well, I may be camping with some friends in Colorado in the summer, and I'll be taking my rifle and pistol with me. I did the same when I camped in the White Mountain National Forest last year with friends.
Before the trip, I had it in mind that I was gonna get some military gear so I could carry 4 spare mags for my M1A, and spare mags for my 1911. Yeah, not a great idea after the fact, even though it never came to fruition (weight testing around home afterwards).
Since I didn't have the money I needed until closer to the trip, I had limited time to try and acquire stuff online and figure out which items would be compatible with which. I originally wanted the Blackhawk load bearing suspenders, since they looked the most comfortable - but little did I know it didn't include the belt and belt pad. I tried ordering it from 3 different places, and none were in stock.
So, off to the local military surplus store. Picking up some standard Alice suspenders, belt, etc., and Molle mag pouches, this was a serious mismatch of equipment. Black suspenders, OD belt, digicamo Molle pouches...yeah. Very under prepared.
Anyway, even though I brought it along on the trip, I never used it because I didn't feel a need for it. Throughout the entire hiking/camping, I only carried my rifle with one mag in it, and one mag in my pistol.
Later on testing out my rag-tag system, the weight of (4) .308 20rd mags was way too much for hiking. I'm not going to war. Although I suspect carrying 4 mags on a proper, matched load bearing system would be much easier when it's not all screwed up.
I have learned from this, and when hiking in Colorado I will probably revert to the same idea of one mag in each gun for weight purposes. However, I would like having the comfortable option of a load bearing system, for stuff like night vision, flashlight(s), some spare batteries, any essential items on the trail, etc.
This time I would like to carry only 2 spare mags for my rifle, and a few for my pistol, as an option.
So, what would be your suggestions for a good, comfortable load bearing system for mags and some other items? It's gotta be comfortable, and it's gotta be strong. I don't want a sagging, chafing piece of crap.
Thanks for your input.
Before the trip, I had it in mind that I was gonna get some military gear so I could carry 4 spare mags for my M1A, and spare mags for my 1911. Yeah, not a great idea after the fact, even though it never came to fruition (weight testing around home afterwards).
Since I didn't have the money I needed until closer to the trip, I had limited time to try and acquire stuff online and figure out which items would be compatible with which. I originally wanted the Blackhawk load bearing suspenders, since they looked the most comfortable - but little did I know it didn't include the belt and belt pad. I tried ordering it from 3 different places, and none were in stock.
So, off to the local military surplus store. Picking up some standard Alice suspenders, belt, etc., and Molle mag pouches, this was a serious mismatch of equipment. Black suspenders, OD belt, digicamo Molle pouches...yeah. Very under prepared.
Anyway, even though I brought it along on the trip, I never used it because I didn't feel a need for it. Throughout the entire hiking/camping, I only carried my rifle with one mag in it, and one mag in my pistol.
Later on testing out my rag-tag system, the weight of (4) .308 20rd mags was way too much for hiking. I'm not going to war. Although I suspect carrying 4 mags on a proper, matched load bearing system would be much easier when it's not all screwed up.
I have learned from this, and when hiking in Colorado I will probably revert to the same idea of one mag in each gun for weight purposes. However, I would like having the comfortable option of a load bearing system, for stuff like night vision, flashlight(s), some spare batteries, any essential items on the trail, etc.
This time I would like to carry only 2 spare mags for my rifle, and a few for my pistol, as an option.
So, what would be your suggestions for a good, comfortable load bearing system for mags and some other items? It's gotta be comfortable, and it's gotta be strong. I don't want a sagging, chafing piece of crap.
Thanks for your input.