Lets Talk Battle Belts

Dead Eye · Oct 3, 2010

Kevp said:
Good post CDE. Dead Eye, there is your answer. I don't know when you served, but I deployed to Afghanistan in DEC of 01 with a LBE, a piece of kit that was pre-Vietnam. That is criminal. We didn't have enough body armor to go around either. Thank God that we do now and if you re-read my post you will see the rationale for the battle belt on the military side. For civilians, I guess you can stuff all you need in your pockets? Do what works for you.

I understand the need on the military side. My question was regarding the need on the civilian side. To "gear up" suggests you are going looking for a fight. My point was in reference to self defense, which "gearing up" aint going to do anyone a bit of good, unless of course, your sleeping in it. The clarification was then made that it was SHTF gear. "OK", I believe I said, I understand now. I guess I'm not that paranoid, YET.

MDMOUNTAINEER · Oct 3, 2010

Dead Eye said:
I understand the need on the military side. My question was regarding the need on the civilian side. To "gear up" suggests you are going looking for a fight. My point was in reference to self defense, which "gearing up" aint going to do anyone a bit of good, unless of course, your sleeping in it. The clarification was then made that it was SHTF gear. "OK", I believe I said, I understand now. I guess I'm not that paranoid, YET.

Kevp and others run setups like this at the steel shoot as well as when attending various tactical classes, matches, etc. They do this to promote consistency and use a platform that is comprehensive and utilitarian.

It's sorta like a nice cowboy rig for SASS, or a shooting vest for clays.

Could it be used for a SHTF scenario? Obviously yes. But it can (and my question was more intended) for it's use in tactical shooting applications as a particular discipline in the shooting sports.

I hope this clarifies things so you can leave well enough alone.

travistheone · Oct 3, 2010

I'm scared of battle belts!!!!! Battle belts are the sure fire tell of an extremist.

That being said, I appreciate the review, and am keeping my eyes out for a nice used setup.

Dead Eye · Oct 3, 2010

tss1004 said:
Kevp and others run setups like this at the steel shoot as well as when attending various tactical classes, matches, etc. They do this to promote consistency and use a platform that is comprehensive and utilitarian.

It's sorta like a nice cowboy rig for SASS, or a shooting vest for clays.

Could it be used for a SHTF scenario? Obviously yes. But it can (and my question was more intended) for it's use in tactical shooting applications as a particular discipline in the shooting sports.

I hope this clarifies things so you can leave well enough alone.

Thanks for the clarification. I believe my original inquisition was what one would use such a rig for? If he uses it for competition, that's cool. Sorry, didn't mean anyone any offense.

boricuamaximus · Oct 3, 2010

Either way it's a hell of a write up. SWMBO has been asking about getting some stuff together just in case. We only have seabag with necessities but in this day and age need to carry some extra hardware.

We started talking about this since she saw the movie "The Road" kinda what I had planned just get to the ocean and head south. The going from point A to B is what got us thinking.

OLM-Medic · Oct 3, 2010

Nice post. I currently have a LBV. It's not super fast or very comfortable but its what I have. It seems to be alot better when not attached to a ALICE belt

I have a nice blackhawk gear belt someone gave me and I want to turn it into something like you showed pics of. The only this is I'm not 21 yet so I will be focusing more on AR mags instead of handgun mags. I was thinking it would be a quick "go" belt for lightweight work instead on the chest rig with 6 mags. What do you think? Thanks.

Oh and the only suggestion I have is to put some of those medical items in your BOK in a ziplock bag so you don't lose everything when you get shot at night and you need one item. that's just my opinion though.

Mickey the Dragon · Oct 3, 2010

Thanks for the write-up! Lots of good information to digest. Lots of people have mentioned bugging-out with a rig like this, but I was wondering how your set-up would work with a pack on your back? You're already wearing a padded belt and two sets of shoulder straps, so can you comfortably carry a BOB, too? Not trying to nitpick, just trying to figure out whether this set-up would be applicable during a bug-out, or whether it would be better used while patrolling.

xtreme43s10 · Oct 4, 2010

Kevp, Thank you very much for the write up. Some of us here know when you speak to shut up and Listen because you know what you're talking about.

trbon8r · Oct 4, 2010

I've never used a chest rig before. Do those chest rigs cause any problems when shooting from the prone position?

JeepDriver · Oct 4, 2010

After an hour or so on Blue Force Gear's web site I have a good idea what I want.

They have SR25 mag pouches too. That's an added bonus, I am going to try and take a Vickers battle rifle class so one belt can pull double duty.

JeepDriver · Oct 4, 2010

trbon8r said:
I've never used a chest rig before. Do those chest rigs cause any problems when shooting from the prone position?

Yes and no. Just going prone its not a problem, reloading from prone is.

canuck · Oct 4, 2010

Calengor said:
Thanks for the write-up kevp. Does anyone have any experience with the ATS war belt and insert? I keep being torn between that one and the SOC-C from BFG.

Cal

I i also have an ATS warbelt and insert. I like it alot but wanted to try some other stuff. I just traded off my HSGI belt so I'll go back to the ATS. I liked it better anyway. HSGI makes some killer kit. I kept their suspenders. Now I need to figure out what to do with my holster. Right now its in a drop platform.

canuck · Oct 4, 2010

Russ D said:
That's very close to what I run, but I need a better set of suspenders.

check out HSGI for the suspenders.

Calengor · Oct 4, 2010

canuck said:
Cal

I i also have an ATS warbelt and insert. I like it alot but wanted to try some other stuff. I just traded off my HSGI belt so I'll go back to the ATS. I liked it better anyway. HSGI makes some killer kit. I kept their suspenders. Now I need to figure out what to do with my holster. Right now its in a drop platform.

Thanks, canuck. I was unsure of it, because the price seems too good to be true. But I'd seen a lot of people review it favorably on LF and thought it might be worth a shot.

canuck · Oct 4, 2010

Mickey the Dragon said:
Thanks for the write-up! Lots of good information to digest. Lots of people have mentioned bugging-out with a rig like this, but I was wondering how your set-up would work with a pack on your back? You're already wearing a padded belt and two sets of shoulder straps, so can you comfortably carry a BOB, too? Not trying to nitpick, just trying to figure out whether this set-up would be applicable during a bug-out, or whether it would be better used while patrolling.

Here is some more amplification into the line concept.

http://www.everycitizenasoldier.org/id12.html

Todd v. · Oct 4, 2010

I started with a chest rig and have migrated to a battle belt setup. For me, it works better for the kind of stuff I do. I like the battle belt better but the chest rig definately has it's place. I'm just a civilian who likes to take classes, I don't need to carry tons of ammo at one time. I like the belt better because it's cooler in the heat and I find it easier to manuver around in all the different firing positions and I've never lost a mag. I also find it a little more comfortable and fluid to do mag changes, but that's just me.

My old chest rig does sit idly by loaded with mags though. :thumbsup:

soup101 · Oct 4, 2010

Great write up Kev :thumbsup:

The timing of this post is perfect as I'm currently putting together my BFG SOC-C belt. The holster portion answered alot of questions for me. Since I'm planning on running a Bladetech DOH I can see where replacing the flimsy belt will be well worth it. Thanks again for taking the time to post this.

JMintzer · Oct 4, 2010

Todd v. said:
I started with a chest rig and have migrated to a battle belt setup. For me, it works better for the kind of stuff I do. I like the battle belt better but the chest rig definately has it's place. I'm just a civilian who likes to take classes, I don't need to carry tons of ammo at one time. I like the belt better because it's cooler in the heat and I find it easier to manuver around in all the different firing positions and I've never lost a mag. I also find it a little more comfortable and fluid to do mag changes, but that's just me.

My old chest rig does sit idly by loaded with mags though.

+1 I did by first training class w/a chest rig and found I was hot and overloaded all day. The second class, I wore a war belt and was much happier.

I bought the ATS and I'm very happy with it.

The only addition has been a Blue Force Medical pouch on the back where my gloves are hanging. I'll try to take some up-dated pics tonight.

Jamie

Russ D · Oct 4, 2010

Question for Kev or others. I'm currently using a very crappy set of suspenders(Eagle Y) because my 3-gun belt(not my battle belt) does not have D rings for a better set. Does anyone know a good set of suspenders that will either attach to a Molle belt (Blackhawk) or a way to attach D rings to a Molle belt.

Kevp · Oct 4, 2010

What does the belt look like Russ? It is hard to make a recommendation without an idea of what it looks like. If it has MOLLE webbing, I can think of a number of solutions. Post a pic.

Lets Talk Battle Belts

The #1 community for Gun Owners of the Northeast

Member Benefits:

Banned

Glock, AR, Savage Junkie

Usual Suspect

Banned

Ultimate Member

Banned

Ultimate Member

Ultimate Member

Ultimate Member

Self confessed gun snob

Self confessed gun snob

Rifleman

Rifleman

wishes he were spike

Rifleman

Ultimate Member

Active Member

Hoarding Douche Waffle

Ultimate Member

Ultimate Member

Users who are viewing this thread

Log in

Forum statistics