Hi, The vest depends on what you want out of it, If you want it to hold mags when you go desert shooting and not always have to run back to the truck then one of the "ranger/commando" type rigs might do, or if you want to put plates in it they have ones that are made of kevlar and ones that aren't.
You said you just want to carry mags and maybe a holster. 5.11 makes great stuff but as a broke college student I went with Condor because my buddy has a plate carrier that survived his deployment without one rip and I really like mine and went with the simple ranger type and added to that (and it doesn't make you hot like a vest!! worn in 110* heat!!). If you can afford it get your pouches from maxpedition, they're stuff if freakin tough. Or Blackhawk, don't have vest stuff from them but obviously their product is good. Condor pouches are good to, if you aren't going to war Condor can't be beat on price they are the only airsoft type stuff I would use. Some other mil types are SKD, BDS (tactical modular vest) but for $10 you might as well try the US issue vest, I have never seen one that cheap either.
Another thing, KEEP IT SIMPLE you don't need all the pouches you see on some of the pre-made vests, that crap is just going to get in your way. I have 6 ar mags with 3 pistol mags and a serpa holster on a condor rapid assult chest rig. Really plain jane but my ar doesn't get hung up on anything if I need to transition to the pistol. Invest in a quality single point sling as well!!
Google fu the bold words for some ideas! And look into the maxpedition, condor, or 5.11 pouches. All have a huge selection but on the opposite end of the price range with 5.11 and maxpedition at the top. If I could buy my pouches again I'd get Maxpedition. Thats all my $.02 from what I learned getting mine.
