AR15.Com Archives
 Recommendations for a chest rig for MD class?
tac45  [Team Member]
2/20/2011 3:45:28 PM
Taking a Magpul Dynamic Carbine 1 class in July. I guess I will need a good chest rig or LBV of some sort for magazines. I was planning on running two Raven concealment Mag holders on my belt. Any recommendations as far as a chest rig go? Thanks!
Combat_Jack  [Team Member]
2/20/2011 3:51:35 PM
Are you going to be fighting with mags from pockets or pouches?
Marksman14  [Team Member]
2/20/2011 4:23:58 PM
I love my BCM. Very comfortable, quality rig.

xmikex  [Member]
2/20/2011 5:11:32 PM
OSOE Micro Rig

Available here as well...




Crappy phone pic w/ tape measure, etc. for size reference
coloccw  [Member]
2/20/2011 10:16:08 PM
Will you ever wear a chest rig for work in the future? Then why spen $$ on one just for a class? The Ravens you mentioned will work just fine as will pants pockets.
TehLlama42  [Member]
2/20/2011 11:47:52 PM
If you're unsure now much use it will get, the OSOE micro is the way to go, but just from the belt certainly isn't bad.
tac45  [Team Member]
2/21/2011 10:20:13 AM
Yea I don't ever really see a need for a chest rig other than class. It's just that I was looking at the equipment list and it required a way to carry 5 primary mags. My waist is only big enough for 2.
Lakemoor  [Team Member]
2/21/2011 10:55:56 AM
You can probally get away without buying a chest rig and running what you have. 2 mags on your belt, 2 mags in your back pocket or cargo pants. Most times you reload mags/water break around the 4 mag mark, at least I did. There will be times you run more than 4 mags though so YMMV.

Make sure you have a stiff rigger belt. A dump bag is nice to put your empties, even though some folks make fun of them. If you can bring all your good mags loaded up to 28. It makes break time more enjoyable when you can sit and drink water while others are loading. Don't forget a chair, meds and water. Pre medicate at lunchtime and continue. Sometimes even if you drink enough water the brain still gets headache cause it's so hot.
Combat_Jack  [Team Member]
2/21/2011 11:02:14 AM
When I had a 32" waist I ran eight mags from Royal Robbins slash pockets. Now I run five from jeans.
Callahan  [Team Member]
2/21/2011 6:04:54 PM

Originally Posted By tac45:
Yea I don't ever really see a need for a chest rig other than class. It's just that I was looking at the equipment list and it required a way to carry 5 primary mags. My waist is only big enough for 2.

pockets and or a dump pouch is fine. I only run 1-3 mags on my belt and I've managed to make it through several classes.
topgunpilot20  [Team Member]
2/21/2011 8:44:25 PM
When I took the MD Carbine 1 class, I ran two AR mags off the belt and held three spares of an Eagle M4 LE chest rig. Very low profile and worked perfectly.

TehLlama42  [Member]
2/22/2011 12:01:43 AM
Realistically, you could add something as simple as the Eagle active shooter bandoleer that just holds 4 AR mags and a pair of pistol mags if that's all you need. Ammo murse may not be the sexiest piece of kit, but it does work.
dcs12345  [Team Member]
2/22/2011 12:04:52 AM
Originally Posted By topgunpilot20:
When I took the MD Carbine 1 class, I ran two AR mags off the belt and held three spares of an Eagle M4 LE chest rig. Very low profile and worked perfectly.



That is the one I like as well. http://www.skdtac.com/Eagle_M4_Chest_Rig_LE_3_Mag_p/eag.563.htm

If you feel like you would like the ability to carry more mags, check out the Eagle/SKD exclusive
http://www.skdtac.com/Eagle_Chest_Rig_Universal_SKD_p/eag.567.htm
topgunpilot20  [Team Member]
2/22/2011 11:34:24 AM

Originally Posted By dcs12345:
Originally Posted By topgunpilot20:
When I took the MD Carbine 1 class, I ran two AR mags off the belt and held three spares of an Eagle M4 LE chest rig. Very low profile and worked perfectly.



That is the one I like as well. http://www.skdtac.com/Eagle_M4_Chest_Rig_LE_3_Mag_p/eag.563.htm

That's where I got mine. Here's the review I wrote on SKD:

Outstanding Value November 17, 2009
Reviewer: Jon S. from Round Rock, TX United States
The construction and design of this rig are excellent. The fixed, felt-lined, kydex mag pouches offer an excellent balance between speed and retention.

The open top construction of the mag pouches allow you to draw a mag very quickly, and the rigid constructions allows quick, one-handed tactical reloads which can be a slow with nylon mag shingles that collapse and/or use flaps or bungee retention.

The nylon straps offer plenty of a adjustment for length, but I wish the shoulder straps could get a little tighter. Also, there was so much extra webbing that I needed to use rubber bands to secure them and keep them from catching on everything. Otherwise, the shoulder straps are nice and wide to distribute the weight, and they are not padded with a low profile. Since this is intended as a minimalist rig, padded shoulder straps would have been cumbersome and unnecessary.

Be sure to leave a mag in each pouch for a few days to loosen them up; they are very tight at first.



dcs12345  [Team Member]
2/22/2011 12:11:06 PM
Originally Posted By topgunpilot20:

Originally Posted By dcs12345:
Originally Posted By topgunpilot20:
When I took the MD Carbine 1 class, I ran two AR mags off the belt and held three spares of an Eagle M4 LE chest rig. Very low profile and worked perfectly.



That is the one I like as well. http://www.skdtac.com/Eagle_M4_Chest_Rig_LE_3_Mag_p/eag.563.htm

That's where I got mine. Here's the review I wrote on SKD:

http://www.skdtac.com/v/vspfiles/templates/90/images/star5.gif Outstanding Value November 17, 2009
Reviewer: Jon S. from Round Rock, TX United States
The construction and design of this rig are excellent. The fixed, felt-lined, kydex mag pouches offer an excellent balance between speed and retention.

The open top construction of the mag pouches allow you to draw a mag very quickly, and the rigid constructions allows quick, one-handed tactical reloads which can be a slow with nylon mag shingles that collapse and/or use flaps or bungee retention.

The nylon straps offer plenty of a adjustment for length, but I wish the shoulder straps could get a little tighter. Also, there was so much extra webbing that I needed to use rubber bands to secure them and keep them from catching on everything. Otherwise, the shoulder straps are nice and wide to distribute the weight, and they are not padded with a low profile. Since this is intended as a minimalist rig, padded shoulder straps would have been cumbersome and unnecessary.

Be sure to leave a mag in each pouch for a few days to loosen them up; they are very tight at first.




Don't knock the extra webbing too much. I am glad the rig has it, but I am 6'3" and around 260lbs, so I need a fair amount of webbing

mcnielsen  [Team Member]
2/22/2011 1:09:13 PM
If you wear your concealment gear (CCW gear I'm assuming) make sure it works cleanly with your chest rig. I have had issues accessing my pistol easily with some chest rigs or plate carriers. Bottom line is test out your holsters and chest rigs together...do not assume they will work smoothly.
mcnielsen  [Team Member]
2/22/2011 1:11:30 PM
Originally Posted By TehLlama42:
Realistically, you could add something as simple as the Eagle active shooter bandoleer that just holds 4 AR mags and a pair of pistol mags if that's all you need. Ammo murse may not be the sexiest piece of kit, but it does work.


I have used these during classes and carry one in my car. They are great for carrying ammo but not very fast to deploy. Realistically, you can effectively carry 2 AR mags total not 4 if you want to be able to effectively do a mag change. That said, they are great for low-profile carriers and deploy easily and can definitely be worn over ANY other gear.
SickMAK90  [Team Member]
2/24/2011 2:06:19 PM
The Eagle M4 LE is a sweeeeeet rig. I have one and I really like it. I was going to get a BCM, but I couldn't justify it for the price. All I do is a class now and then and some IPDA stuff every so often.
DDgunslinger  [Team Member]
2/25/2011 1:41:04 PM
Originally Posted By dcs12345:
Originally Posted By topgunpilot20:
When I took the MD Carbine 1 class, I ran two AR mags off the belt and held three spares of an Eagle M4 LE chest rig. Very low profile and worked perfectly.



That is the one I like as well. http://www.skdtac.com/Eagle_M4_Chest_Rig_LE_3_Mag_p/eag.563.htm

If you feel like you would like the ability to carry more mags, check out the Eagle/SKD exclusive
http://www.skdtac.com/Eagle_Chest_Rig_Universal_SKD_p/eag.567.htm


Eagle makes great gear at a good price, I have one of their chest rigs as well.
TehLlama42  [Member]
2/26/2011 1:14:55 AM
Originally Posted By mcnielsen:
Originally Posted By TehLlama42:
Realistically, you could add something as simple as the Eagle active shooter bandoleer that just holds 4 AR mags and a pair of pistol mags if that's all you need. Ammo murse may not be the sexiest piece of kit, but it does work.


I have used these during classes and carry one in my car. They are great for carrying ammo but not very fast to deploy. Realistically, you can effectively carry 2 AR mags total not 4 if you want to be able to effectively do a mag change. That said, they are great for low-profile carriers and deploy easily and can definitely be worn over ANY other gear.


I agree completely, they're a terrible direct source of ammunition, but a great way to replenish a belt if that IS the primary feeding source, between drills. Unless any drills require 60+ rounds, that wouldn't be a direct impediment.