Need Help From a Pro with Tac Vest

[JDay]

One like this? Where is a good place to get these vests? Any specific reccomendations?

Pretty much although that appears to be a plate carrier. Here's one thats not too expensive. http://www.511tactical.com/browse/Ho...:10500/I/58631

[BadFish]

Like JDay said, that's a plate carrier and the link is for a Load Barring vest. The plate carrier does give you the option of adding Ceramic plates to it at a later time. So if you are thinking about this as a SHTF type of setup keep that in mind.

[JDay]

Plate carriers can be quite expensive though, and if thats the one I think it is it'll run you over $3k but be made of level IIIa kevlar, so thats another thing to keep in mind.

[chris]

go to specopsgear.com. they have an over armor vest that has a ton of MOLLE that you can put your gear anywhere you want. it's about 200 or more bucks.

[BadFish]

I think you are right about that one. It looks like it has soft body armour. However you can get them for anywhere between 50 to 300 bucks without the plates. Without the plates they are basically just a LBV, however later on down the line you can pick up the ceramics or soft armour and you now have body armour.

http://www.marsgear.com/product.php?pid=125

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/MOLLE723-1.html

Just some examples.

[Mezcalfud]

I have a blackhawk that is similar, holds my mags and keeps my pants from falling down. Also keeps some basic things, that help at the range, in one place. Basic, light and ventilated. Expensive and customizable is for those who use this as a work tool and their lives depend on it.

I learned from backpacking; more pockets= more junk and weight.

The most important thing on mine; a hydration bladder pocket.

[M. Sage]

I have to agree about the mag pouches. I can't see how anybody right handed could be happy with them on the left side, especially if they've ever tried to reload while prone.

[USMC_2651_E5]

Didn't take the time to read the other replies so I appologize if I'm repeating them.

If the vest is reconfigurable, then focus on importance as it relates to convenience. The more important, the easier it should be to get to. Here are some tips I have found to be good.

First, I like to have my sidearm on my waist or in a tactical holster and not on my stomach.

Second, place the magazine pouches where you can get to them with your support hand--you don't want to give up your master grip when reloading. Put the Mag pouches in a place where you can index the top front of the magazine simply by pulling the magazine out, thereby alowing a smoth reload without having to look down at what you are doing.

Third thing to consider is gas mask if you need one. When I used to keep it on my tac vest, I wore it on the right side of the back, in a place I could reach it. It was always stored in a position that would index correctly for donning when I grabbed it.

My radio goes on my back, left of the gas mask. I cant get to it, but I don't usually need to change freqs or volume.

I also carry a medical kit that has a couple pressure bandages, plastic for sucking chest wounds, trounequet, etc. The med kit is below my radio on my back and has a big subdued medical cross on it so others will know where to get the stuff if I am down.

Lastly, I have a small pouch that holds a couple door stops, earplugs, notepad, and pen. It resides on the stomach, right of the magazines.

I didn't mention flashlight, cuffs, pepperspray, etc. Thats because, I carry them on my duty belt. If you plan on carrying these on your tacvest, then make sure you prioritize necessity and locate them accordingly.

If the vest cannot be reconfigured, then just put your items where they should go.

Which ever you have, make sure you practice with it and know how to get to your items. It makes no sense to be weighed down with a bunch of things that you wont be able to find in the heat of a gun battle.