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And we're off!!







For the record, lew...I wanted to ask the same question.

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I saw that coming as well but was genuinely trying to help the guy.  This is a Tech Forum after all.

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help isn't always about gear selection, but rather mindset

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And we're off!!

For the record, lew...I wanted to ask the same question.

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There is a reason why you want see GI's running around downrange with a "war belt". That term is an oxymoron. The only ones that you see wearing them are arm chair commando's and those that "take a class". If you have no reason to wear a PC, the belt set ups are fine. However, unless your wearing your PC up to your throat anything on your waist gets in the way to include a side arm. This is the reason why drop leg holsters were issued. The same goes for carring a ruck. You can't run the waist belt on your ruck if your also trying to run a thick padded molle belt. Yet another issue is running kydex holsters on a molle belt. If your holster fit is snug and your not wearing that belt tight, your going to fight with your pistol trying to get it out as the belt will come up on the draw. I have seen this on more that one occasion where the shooter must use is non firing hand to pull down on the belt during the draw.

 Running a holster on the PC has many real world advantages

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I have seen a shit ton of guys over seas using belt setups a long with a PC. But they were all SOF and maybe 2 or 3 infantry guys.

You don't see GI's using them because the culture says you should use what is issued or else you're a geardo. And what is issued is decided by some commander who hasn't been in combat in 30 years, if ever.

The only advantage to a holster on your PC is if you're driving a lot.

ETA: That all said, I'm not a "war belt" fan. I just use a regular duty belt like LE have been using for years. That or I just keep on my normal holster because I carry all the time anyway.

ETA2: Heh PC's and belts work fine together. Have you tried what you're talking about or just talking about it?

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From the plate carrier picture thread. I have it on my PC because I don't use a belt. All my cold weather gear would make it a hassle to put a belt on, so having it on a PC makes donning stuff much easier.

Keep in mind this is when I first got right out of the box. I had to tinker with the positioning and do a small mod after some actual (for fun) use.



http://youtu.be/0kOvCOix7fc

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But.....you have a belt on.

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I have seen a shit ton of guys over seas using belt setups a long with a PC. But they were all SOF and maybe 2 or 3 infantry guys.

You don't see GI's using them because the culture says you should use what is issued or else you're a geardo. And what is issued is decided by some commander who hasn't been in combat in 30 years, if ever.

The only advantage to a holster on your PC is if you're driving a lot.

ETA: That all said, I'm not a "war belt" fan. I just use a regular duty belt like LE have been using for years. That or I just keep on my normal holster because I carry all the time anyway.

ETA2: Heh PC's and belts work fine together. Have you tried what you're talking about or just talking about it?

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Ah, yes I have ran both set ups as I am AD myself for the last 18 years and have multiple combat deployments wearing this shit  unlike most of the chair commandos here that never leave their houses with their nice clean gear. So a shit ton equals a few SOF and 2-3 infantry?  I know and have trained many an SOF troop over the years and they sport a drop leg, not a belt holster. Many also prefer a PC mounted holster due to patrols being mounted. Does that mean they all do? Nope.

You don't see a whole lot of belt holsters (MOLLE belts) as the standard issue carrier rides too low and most don't run minimalist rigs (SOF) anyways.  If they do, they usually run a size smaller than normal plate for weight which at that point may allow a belt holster as it rides high.  Most GI's also attach pouches galore on the strong side which causes you to reach over and under for your pistol. There not just running a couple TACO's up front like half of the people here.  

 As you may guess, I'm not a fan of the belt holster either while wearing armor. Too much shit is in the way and it doesn't work for me.  But just because something works for me or you doesn't mean it does for everyone else.  Moral of the story--Assuming that the OP of this thread is a noob or idiot because of the question he asked is ignorance on your part and makes you and others look like a "geardo".  Who gives a shit what his set up is as long as it works for him.

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Lol.  Now you are just being silly.

But really, why is it when it comes to gear, there is only THE way, and not A way?  I have my sidearm on my ESSTAC.  It is also straight vertical.  I am short.  Tacticool gear is not made for short slender people, so my shit rides low.  This is what works for me, and I'll be damned if someone tells me that what works for me WON'T work for me.

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http://50.6.106.226/picit/1391826053.5625.iPicit.jpg
http://50.6.106.226/picit/1391826108.4844.iPicit.jpg

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Lol.  Now you are just being silly.

But really, why is it when it comes to gear, there is only THE way, and not A way?  I have my sidearm on my ESSTAC.  It is also straight vertical.  I am short.  Tacticool gear is not made for short slender people, so my shit rides low.  This is what works for me, and I'll be damned if someone tells me that what works for me WON'T work for me.

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In an effort to be helpful....though I am sure I will regret it, there are solutions for short/slender and/or otherwise small statured people. I'm one of them myself. I've went thru all the same frustrations and will share my solutions if asked.

As far the part in red...well, at the risk of sounding like an ass, your statement that you'll "be damed if anyone can tell you what will and won't work for you.." Speaks volumes about your mindset. When I first started out working with this gear in real life, I needed all the help I could get and wasn't afraid to listen to anyone who had BTDT. You can say my environment made learning and learning fast a priority.

So, that said, there is a reason you won't see a big variation in setups in guys that use the gear for a living. We (I say "we"...I'm not in that line of work anymore) know what works and where it works. You can say there actually is a Right Way vs. Wrong Way....with a few mission driven exceptions, of course. The pic you posted is interesting, and to me, it says that you haven't used it much in real life (other than just wearing it) or just don't realize there is a better way to set your kit up and have decided to live with the short comings of your setup. Like I said, if you have an open mind, me (or I'd venture to say Blacktide, too) would be willing to give you advice that you are free to use or not use.

I probably should have kept my word and not posted anymore, but what the hell...it's only the internet.

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I don't mean that I'm not open to suggestions. I'm always wanting to learn more. What would you recommend?

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In my opinion, that rig swallows you. If it works for you, then fine...but there are better options that will actually fit you much, much better, such as the smaller chest rigs from USGG, OSOE, HSGI, Esstac, etc. You will be able to get your 6 magazines on them with no problem if you are creative.

You have way too much going on in the front, starting with gloves dangling down to your nuts. Stuff that swings is no good, so secure it down or bring it in higher or tighter with a smaller grimloc or pouch. The pistol in that universal holster is less than ideal in that location, and it prohibits movement of your strong side, basically you are moving/working around it. I am sure it is painful and none too secure for your pistol when going prone or moving fast. I would imagine having it sticking out in front like that is just a bad days waiting to happen. It's gonna catch on everything and it doesn't protect your pistol too well when you have to get down....and if your down drawing it is out of the question with it in its current location. Another option is to secure your pistol in a magazine pouch...it works very good especially if you have a bungee loop to secure it.

You are wearing the rig so low that you can't mount your pistol on your belt....try cinching it up a couple of inches. Also, what's up with the big ass pouch secured to your left shoulder strap? It's begging to get caught up on something. Speaking of that...doesn't it interferes with the way you have your weapon slung - and when I say interferes, I mean you have to adjust either the pouch or the sling when shouldering your weapon. If you say no, then just wait and go wallow around and train with it some more....it will, I guarantee. Also, what about the one in front with the buckle? What are you keeping in there...light, Multitool? In other words, why is it there?

Lastly, and this is strictly personal opinion...those wide padded straps look comfortable, but does it hamper you when shouldering your weapon? I like the comfort, but haven't found a pair yet that are good when shouldering a rifle.

Here is how I ran my setup for many years. Lightweight, compact, everything I needed and nothing I didn't...also, my pistol was tucked nicely out of the way on my strong side, with a rifle and pistol mag pouch on the left sometimes. Obviously, I used a duty belt instead of a MOLLE belt.

ETA: See? Told ya I'm fucking tiny...

<a href="http://s1171.photobucket.com/user/jself1976/media/Afghanistan/DSCN0588.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i1171.photobucket.com/albums/r550/jself1976/Afghanistan/DSCN0588.jpg</a>

<a href="http://s1171.photobucket.com/user/jself1976/media/Afghanistan/105_0176.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i1171.photobucket.com/albums/r550/jself1976/Afghanistan/105_0176.jpg</a>

<a href="http://s1171.photobucket.com/user/jself1976/media/Afghanistan/105_0190.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i1171.photobucket.com/albums/r550/jself1976/Afghanistan/105_0190.jpg</a>

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Last I heard, my buddy had it in Kabul. I built it up gradually over my time there, and I heard there was quite a scramble between my coworkerss as to who got my AK after I was medevac'd out.

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Last I heard, my buddy had it in Kabul. I built it up gradually over my time there, and I heard there was quite a scramble between my coworkerss as to who got my AK after I was medevac'd out.

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From the plate carrier picture thread. I have it on my PC because I don't use a belt. All my cold weather gear would make it a hassle to put a belt on, so having it on a PC makes donning stuff much easier.

Keep in mind this is when I first got right out of the box. I had to tinker with the positioning and do a small mod after some actual (for fun) use.



http://youtu.be/0kOvCOix7fc

Quoted:


There is a reason why you want see GI's running around downrange with a "war belt". That term is an oxymoron. The only ones that you see wearing them are arm chair commando's and those that "take a class". If you have no reason to wear a PC, the belt set ups are fine. However, unless your wearing your PC up to your throat anything on your waist gets in the way to include a side arm. This is the reason why drop leg holsters were issued. The same goes for carring a ruck. You can't run the waist belt on your ruck if your also trying to run a thick padded molle belt. Yet another issue is running kydex holsters on a molle belt. If your holster fit is snug and your not wearing that belt tight, your going to fight with your pistol trying to get it out as the belt will come up on the draw. I have seen this on more that one occasion where the shooter must use is non firing hand to pull down on the belt during the draw.

 Running a holster on the PC has many real world advantages

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I don't think he has, Blacktide. His statements combined with the guy who mounted that Crye holster on his PC are filling this thread full of WTF with a quickness...

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Ah, yes I have ran both set ups as I am AD myself for the last 18 years and have multiple combat deployments wearing this shit  unlike most of the chair commandos here that never leave their houses with their nice clean gear. So a shit ton equals a few SOF and 2-3 infantry?  I know and have trained many an SOF troop over the years and they sport a drop leg, not a belt holster. Many also prefer a PC mounted holster due to patrols being mounted. Does that mean they all do? Nope.

You don't see a whole lot of belt holsters (MOLLE belts) as the standard issue carrier rides too low and most don't run minimalist rigs (SOF) anyways.  If they do, they usually run a size smaller than normal plate for weight which at that point may allow a belt holster as it rides high.  Most GI's also attach pouches galore on the strong side which causes you to reach over and under for your pistol. There not just running a couple TACO's up front like half of the people here.  

 As you may guess, I'm not a fan of the belt holster either while wearing armor. Too much shit is in the way and it doesn't work for me.  But just because something works for me or you doesn't mean it does for everyone else.  Moral of the story--Assuming that the OP of this thread is a noob or idiot because of the question he asked is ignorance on your part and makes you and others look like a "geardo".  Who gives a shit what his set up is as long as it works for him.

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I guess I didn't know about that part.
You all good now?

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Yep...just happy to be upright! I still get winded real easy and I'm physically much weaker than I was, so I gotta start a workout routine soon. Damn school is taking it out of me this semester. I had to change careers and decided to become like those that saved my life, so I decided to become a RN, then BSN and on to Nurse Prac. Taking 14 hours per semester makes me wish for the simpler, easier times of just getting shot at...

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No offense but this is just absolutely impracticable as heck. If it works for you then whatever but after 20 years in the infantry, reconnaissance and special operations is never suggest this. In fact is have to flat out refuse to let anyone in my squad or platoon have their sidearm like this even if it would be allowed on a jump. Again, no offense but you're not in a combat arms mos are you? I'd rethink this.