Best Magazine/Water vest for bugout?

[problemchild]

If I needed to get going and grab a magazine vest that holds 10+ mags, a handgun and water which is the best choice or brand?

I need to hold 20rd Pmags 308 caliper.

[pbwhite]

If your packing that kind of heat than things got really bad a body armor system with molle attachments would probably be the best bet, it would really widen your configurations options. And luckily I have one for sale.

[problemchild]

If your packing that kind of heat than things got really bad a body armor system with molle attachments would probably be the best bet, it would really widen your configurations options. And luckily I have one for sale.

PM some pics and a price maybe we can talk.

USMC? If you are thanks for your service to the country.

[Suhleen]

It depends on how far/how fast you need to travel and how hostile the environment is. For hostile environments I have an Eagle CIRAS-based system. I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on a high speed, low drag system and have it narrowed down to two choices: BDS Tactical Simple Stacker and the HSGI Weesatch. Both have their advantages and drawbacks.

*Edit: Just realized you were looking for something to hold 10+ mags so take a look at the USGI Wasatch instead.

[SoCalDep]

Hmmm...More ammo = less water or way more weight which = much less mobility/stamina.

Body armor will protect you. It will make you very hot, slow you down, and increase weight a lot. Integrated armor has the advantage of throwing everything on at once (quickly) and has certain comfort advantages when deploying all gear.

Another option might be some armor and a separate chest-rig/LBE setup. You can carry your gear without your armor, depending on the armor you could conceal it without the gear. If I knew I was going to fight I'd want armor. If I was trying to get as far away, as fast as I could, and re-supply was unknown or non-existent, I might sacrifice the armor for increased speed and endurance. Wear a vest for a while and you'll know what I mean. If you intend to practice with your armor/plates (ala military) then maybe you could do it.

I'd start with a molle chest rig that offers good ventilation and adjustment so it isn't flopping around. It'll be bad enough with 10 x 20rd .308 mags and water, let alone with all of it punching you in the stomach and kidneys every time you run. Hydration would be great but for grab and go that is stored most of the time I'd go with some other water setup (bottles and filter/collapsible platypus,etc.)

My setup is for 5.56mm, for active shooter/long term nastyness, etc, so it'll be a bit different. It's made for not so much long distance movement but short-distance and long term fighting. I have a Blackhawk EOD vest with 6 x 30rd AR mags, binoculars, latex and nylon gloves, flex cuffs, knife, Surefire LED flashlight, a trauma kit, water bottle (.5 liter) and jerkey. My drop-leg pouch has a larger trauma kit and two additional 30rd AR mags. I have a "butt pack" that attaches to the vest that contains additional water (2 liters) 3 x 30rd AR mags, food, a small stove, survival gear, an emergency bivvy and a sam splint. This is all in addition to my IIIA vest, duty belt that has pistol, OC, radio, 2x cuffs, 20rd AR PMag, and 2 x 18rd Sig 9mm mags. The system works, I can move around in it, but I wouldn't wanna hike five miles in it!

[technique]

This is what I would do:

ATS 7.62 harness

outfitted with the:

HCH , its designed for chest rigs.

[chris]

i have an overarmor vest that i have used in Iraq and worked quite well and IBA may not have enough MOLLE attachments for what you want or have on hand. i have worn it for extended periods of time then and when i take a class or at the range with my unit. i do not have my plates in it.

this is my rig.


this is just my kit that i use and train in what will work for you will be different of course but this may help with a base setup to start with.

i can carry 9 30 rd. mags for my AR
plus gerber, surefire light, earplugs and so on.
IFAK of course side pouches hold NVG's if i have them or spare batteries, NOMEX gloves or any other kind, weapon cleaning gear also. sunglasses (Wiley X, or Oakleys for night)
dumpouch for spent magazines.
the overarmor vest greatly enhanced my kit.

when i Iraq this setup weighed quite a bit and i did get used to it during my tour and your body will remember it. mine does.