Gunfighter

wichaka · Joined: 27 Jul 2007 Posts: 78 Location: Washington State

Been going to some active shooter training lately, and looking at some gear for that purpose. Of course I have my spec rail gear from Hoff. So far just the left leg mag carrier combo.......2 AR mags and 2 1911 mags.

Been looking at chest carriers, specifically the tactical tailor Mini-Mav and the Eagle M4. Anyone have and/or try any of these? or what do you think about chest rigs?

DEMON · Joined: 13 Jul 2007 Posts: 186 Location: Houston,Texas

I have the universal chest rig from eagle which is the Paul Howe design as well as the molle plate carrier with cummerbund.I love them both.I do not wear them togeather,I have the molle vest set up for my plates with specific molle pouches on it. I like the chest carrier if I want to go a little lighter.I have had them for awile and have put them through some rough times.They function well,and hold up well.Eagle makes some good products.Hope that helped a little.Most of my molle pouches are from Tactical Tailor also a great company and product Twisted Evil

wichaka · Joined: 27 Jul 2007 Posts: 78 Location: Washington State

TT is close to where I live, so I may have to visit them soonly!

Looking for something light to grab, throw on and engage.

Will get both, try them out, then keep the one I like, and send the other back.

Morris · Joined: 29 Jul 2007 Posts: 99 Location: Seattle Metro Area

I went through the various gyrations of kit but eventually settle back to a AS bag to grab and throw over the shoulder. Problem with the chest rigs for me was that it covered the front where my mic is located plus pockets. Additionally, unless you practiced, it could be a challenge to rapidly don a vest. One strap over the shoulder, weak side, easy hand access. Room for mags (rifle and pistol), bottle of water, food bars and a VOK.

The AS bag I am using is the TT version. Pricey, but US made and built very tough.

wichaka · Joined: 27 Jul 2007 Posts: 78 Location: Washington State

Wasn't looking for anything that carried food etc., just something to throw on that will hold mags etc., when responding to something.

Morris · Joined: 29 Jul 2007 Posts: 99 Location: Seattle Metro Area

Understand that. But we've also learned through our responses and reviews of other events that active events often turn into RIP (remain in place) events. A couple of our power lifter/eat every two hour types start eating small children if they don't have something after 2-3 hours of being in the same place (ala Tacoma mall).

wichaka · Joined: 27 Jul 2007 Posts: 78 Location: Washington State

Any of the maxpedition stuff fit the bill?

Morris · Joined: 29 Jul 2007 Posts: 99 Location: Seattle Metro Area

A couple of our guys use them as sling bags and like them. Stuff is well built and often can look less "tacticool."

ScottM · Joined: 05 Sep 2007 Posts: 23

Maxpedition stuff is great. TT is very well known for good gear. Also check out BattleLab/Diamondback Tactical. You can find some unassuming bags that will hold everything you would need. They've got an Escape and Evasion-Go Bag with or without MOLLE. (all the mags you'd need and hydration/nutrition. )

Behr · Joined: 16 Jun 2008 Posts: 26 Location: Htown

I love my maxpedition Jumbo for those times when I want to carry concealed, but dont want to have to wear baggy shirt, jacket, etc. It is very expandable for such a small bag.

Inside it, I always carry a compact 45 and a 22 with at least 3 mags each. My Hoffners inside the pants holster goes in the bottle holder with my wallet on top and the velcro strap tying it down. (the inside the pants holster is just in case I want to leave the bag in the vehicle, but still carry) I always have my surefire clipped to the molle, backup batteries in molle "volta" battery case. I added a molle mag pouch that I keep my cell phone in. Multi-tool in the top pocket for easy access. The main compartment stays empty in mine most of the time, but it is very roomy. when I am not wearing it my 5x8 trauma insert fits nicely in one of the front pockets.

This is a comfortable bag.

Here is the secret to making this thing great. make sure to get two 2" shoulder pads when you order it. when you put them on the strap, overlap one velcro fastener on each pad so they will stay together. mine is a minimum of 13lbs. and it is very managable. This is by far the most comfortable and practical carry bag ive used, and believe me I have tried many different shoulder bags.

I do some wedding photography, and I have carried it loaded with camera equipment and batteries (minus the pistols and ammo) for 8, 9, 10 hours at a time and it is really not that bad.

As far as drawing from the bag, I can unzip it, draw and fire in less than two seconds. If my hand is already on the gun inside the bag, it is much faster. I have their universal ccw holster in the carry compartment.

The website claims you can carry a full size 1911 in the jumbo....you might be able to, but not comfortably. My compact stays concealed even with the gun compartment unzipped, which I like... I think a full size would be visible if the carry compartment was unzipped. You could carry a huge pistol in the main storage, but you couldnt draw quickly from that compartment.

This bag is worth the money.