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| 6/4/08 - In a departure from standard first or second-line gear, the TAD Gear Bandoleer is an over-the-shoulder MOLLE platform designed to organize and transport equipment in a low profile, quickly deployed system. It's meant to be a rapid-deploy, grab and go platform when a full rig isn't needed or there isn't time to put one on. Description
- The Bandoleer is constructed mainly of 1000D cordura, and has
mirror-image front and rear panels for right or left hand/shoulder
use. Each panel is about 19" long and 6.5" across and
all corners are rounded with no sharp edges or points. 2" wide webbing, with a 2" ITW SR main buckle extend from the end of the panels opposite the shoulder. There's a lot of adjustability, and the loose ends of the webbing stow inside the panel. This is the main buckle used to don and doff the Bandoleer. Two 1"-wide anti-sway straps wrap around each panel, which are routed through the PALS webbing and located anywhere along the panel for added stability. These play an important part in the stability of the Bandoleer.
Setup and usage - There are a couple of ways to wear the Bandoleer, I found. Over the 'strong' shoulder and over the 'weak' shoulder. In all these photos here, I've worn it over the weak shoulder (I'm left handed). When wearing it on the weak shoulder, extracting mags from pouches is easier if the pouches are mounted upside down, so you pull down and towards your weak side. If the pouches are mounted with the top up, extraction is much more awkward as the weak hand is crossing the chest and pulling towards the strong shoulder. If you prefer mounting the pouches right side up, then the Bandoleer is easier to use if slung over the strong shoulder, and the mags extracted by pulling up towards the weak shoulder. This is where the 1" anti-sway strap is essential to keep the whole bandoleer from lifting up if the mag is tight in the pouch. The strap can be routed under a waist belt to keep the Bandoleer anchored down, else it can move if you're pulling mags upwards out of the pouches. Whether the Bandoleer is worn on the strong or weak shoulder, the anti-sway strap is extremely important for providing some stability and keep it from slipping off the shoulder. I asked Patrick at TAD if the strap worked better attached to the panel lower down (near the waist) or higher up (under the armpit). He said 'whatever works best for you'. I tried the strap up and down and found that it worked best when attached in the middle of the front and rear panels (a little higher than in the photos above). The Bandoleer should be adjusted so that the anti-sway strap is snug. I set up my Bandoleer to be worn over the weak shoulder and attached four ITW FASTmag pouches (reviewed below) upside down. They are perfect for this application as they retain the magazine securely in this position, and it prevents the bandoleer from being overloaded. Sure, it's possible to mount double M4 pouches for a total of 8 mags, but that's pushing it for this rig, as it's not as stable as a chest rig. I mounted an EMDOM USA Wide Load 3" Multi-purpose pack on the rear panel, as it fit perfectly and I could carry either a small hydration bladder or more M4 mags inside. Loaded up this way, I found the Bandoleer balanced quite well and was pretty stable. Not as rock solid as a chest rig, but with less movement that I thought it'd have. By unfastening the anti-sway strap, I'm able to rotate the entire Bandoleer around and access the pouch on the rear panel without taking the Bandoleer off.
I can see the TAD Gear Bandoleer being useful for situations where speed or confined spaces (like in a vehicle) is an issue. It's quick to throw over the shoulder and click the main buckle closed. If you're the sort of person who keeps his rifle by his nightstand for home defense, this rig might be the ticket, loaded up with a couple of spare mags, a light etc. I'm using it as a lightweight range rig. The short clip below illustrates the Bandoleer and the ITW FASTmags. Note that this was the first time ever that I had used this setup and I had no practice with it. I'm neither quick nor skilled, but you can extrapolate and see that someone who has trained with this setup and has skills can achieve some very fast reloads (if that's something that's desired). |
| 3/24/08 - Back in June of '07, I got a heads up from Justin at Down East Inc, of a Marine Corps solicitation for their ILBE pouches. One of these was for a 30-round M16/M4 Speed Reload pouch. The product developed by Down East Inc and marketed primarily by ITW Military Products was the FASTmag. However, I didn't like it that much as I felt that it was too wide and bulky. I voiced my concerns, and Justin told me that they were already working on a revised product that addressed those issues. I decided not to do a writeup on the Gen 1 FASTmag and instead wait for the improved version. Fast forward a few months, and the Gen 2 FASTmag was debuted around the time of the '08 SHOT Show in February. The Gen 2 FASTmag is indeed a great improvement over the first version, and worth the wait. Some of the desired objectives by the ILBE Speed Reload Pouch solicitation were:
As far as I can tell, the FASTmag meets all those requirements. There are also the Universal Physical Performance Characteristics (maintenance, durability, operating temps, environment etc), but I have no information about whether the FASTmag has met them. As mentioned above, the FASTmag is not meant to replace all the ammo pouches on a rig - but to provide the fastest first or second reload possible. It retains mags without lids, flaps or covers. The FASTmag is a lightweight pouch consisting of two molded high-impact polymer clamshell halves. These are permanently attached together at the bottom by the rivets/snaps. When the two halves are pushed apart, the plastic flexes at the bottom, providing tension, which pushed the halves back together. This tension is what retains the magazine in the pouch. A rubber band also provides additional tension; this rubber band can be placed at any of three positions on the pouch. The higher it's placed, the more tension it provides. Rubber pads (traction strips) are overmolded on the inside of the two halves in the center, which contact the magazine inside the pouch, retaining it with friction. A shock cord 'jump strap', or lanyard, can be pulled over the end of the magazine for additional security, especially when using the pouch upside down. It can be stowed around the bottom of the pouch when not in use. The rear half has two 'ears', or tabs, which are inserted under PALS/MOLLE webbing to retain the top. Two straps weave through the PALS and snap at the bottom of the pouch to secure the FASTmag to any MOLLE rig. It can be mounted up or down for a normal draw, or to draw the mag from the bottom. The tabs are canted 10° to tip the mag slightly outwards from the body, something the Gen1 FASTmag did not do. A tabless version is also available for belt mounting. A drain hole is molded into the bottom of the FASTmag. The Gen 1 FASTmag was actually 3 columns of PALS wide, which prevented mounting two side by side on 4 columns. The Gen 2 FASTmag fits just fine on two columns of PALS, and as you can see, I had no problems mounting 3 in a row on a plate carrier.
The FASTmag is designed to fit USGI 30-round magazines, but will also accomodate HK mags, Pmags and the Lancer mags I have. When extracting the magazine, a slight twisting motion is used. This forces the two halves apart, and also allows the magazine to reduce contact with the rubber traction strips. Magazines can be extracted without twisting, but require a bit more force. I found inserting and extracting the mags to be quicker than any other pouch I've tried - the 10° forward cant greatly helps in getting your hand on the mag. I dislike nylon pouches with kydex inserts as they tend to be very bulky, but I understand the desire/need for open-top pouches without flaps. The FASTmag has a lower profile than most of these pouches, which I've also found to be very tight and did not work with all mags. While the FASTmag isn't modular (you cannot stack it or mount additional pouches to the front), I much prefer it to the nylon-covered kydex pouches. I think the FASTmag will do very well as primary mag pouches whenever only two or three reloads are needed on a low profile rig, or to suppliment a heavier/full loadout as the first or second reload pouches when ease of access and speed are the paramount factor. It has come to my attention that ITW
FASTmags are being counterfeited/ripped off overseas. Do NOT buy these
cheaply made, low quality products made of junk material, nor support
these companies copying U.S. designed products. Theft of intellectual
property is a crime and buying rip-off products is a slap in the face
to the designers and companies who work hard to develop these products. |
| EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNIVERSAL CHEST RIG (SKD TACTICAL MOLLE VERSION) 1/28/06 - This is the Eagle Industries Universal Chest Rig, SKD MOLLE version, from SKD Tactical. The UCR is an SKD-exclusive version of Eagle's CR-PHUTV (Chest Rig, Paul Howe Universal Tactical Vest). The CR-PHUTV has been in high demand since it was introduced in early 2005, due to it's simplicity, great value, and versatility. It was designed by Paul Howe (a very well-respected veteran of the Army Special Forces). The original CR-PHUTV had two MBITR radio pouches on each end, but SKD Tactical had Eagle remove these, and replace them with two columns of PALS instead, to allow attachment of any MOLLE-compatible pouch that fits in that space. This further increases the versatility of this rig, as the MBITR pouches were sized rather specifically. The main body of the UCR is basically a panel 21.5" wide x 7" tall. On the front are 4 open-top rifle mag pouches, with four pistol mag pouches piggy-backed on the front of the middle two. On each end of the panel are the SKD-mod; 2 columns X 4 rows of PALS. On the back of the panel is a trapezoidal-shaped mesh pocket for storing flat items. It has no closure. The panel is actually made of two layers cordura, and is 'hollow' inside, to form an internal storage compartment. This compartment is accessed through the velcro opening between the shoulder strap take-off points, and has a couple of tabs to assist in opening. The compartment has grommets on the back for drainage. The shoulder straps are padded, and attach to the body with 1-1/4" buckles in front, and 1" buckles at the sides. A dual-adjustable 1" waist belt completes the strap system. All plastic hardware is from National Molding but is cross-compatible with ITW Fastex hardware.
On the front of the rig are four pistol mag pouches, with two flaps that cover two at a time. These will fit most pistol mags out there, but the flaps are a bit short. The flaps are perfect for Glock 19 mags (for which the rig was designed for), but the velcro will have only about 1/2" of engagement on longer mags. The G17 mag seems to be the limit for engagement of the velcro with about 3/8" of engagement. Two single stack .45 mags will fit in each pouch, for a total of 8. If Eagle extended the flaps by 1" and made them separate, that'd be my personal preference. The four rifle mag pouches are sized for two M4 30-round mags each, but will also fit one AK or FAL mag. Each pouch has 1" elastic for retention, while the two outer pouches also have an adjustable 1" strap for added retention. Other than that, the pouches are open-top and have no lids. They're quick to access and seem to be secure enough. The AK mag is shown bullets down in the pouch, but it is more prone to the mag catch tang snagging than with the bullets up. The two end pouches will also fit a handgun, if you choose to carry one there. I was able to fit my Kimber Warrior with light in there.
I have a short torso, so I tend to wear a chest rig high, or else it'll interfere with any belt rig I'm wearing. I also have trouble wearing a pack with most rigs as they interfere with the use of a hip/waist belt, but the UCR is probably the most pack-compatible rig I currently have. It's a very stable platform, with no slippage or shifting of the load whatsoever, when adjusted properly. The shoulder strap adjustments are like all others I've seen - they tighten by pulling up and back. Hence they have to be pre-adjusted before you put the UCR on, which isn't difficult or awkward at all. The waist strap can be adjusted on the go if needed. Removing the rig is accomplished simply by unbuckling one end of the waist belt, and lifting it over your head. I haven't found a need to unbuckle the shoulder straps too at the front yet, although that would be the fastest way of ditching it. This rig was designed to be worn alone, over body armour, in a vehicle, with a pack etc. Shown below is the rig worn with a Kifaru Express. I'm able to utilize the hip belt of the Express with the UCR - something I have trouble doing with most other rigs. The UCR shoulder straps are low profile enough for the pack straps to sit on top of, but definitely more comfortable than 'seatbelt' webbing alone. I think they're a very good combination, and would recommend this rig for use with a pack if you're looking for one with minimal interference. Also shown is the rig worn with a Crye armoured belt rig.
SKD Tactical has added more versatility to the already versatile CR-PHUTV with the MOLLE modification. I'd have to put this rig at the top of my list of recommendations for sheer value. Even though it'll work well for experienced and 'beginning' shooters alike, it also makes a great 'starter rig' for someone new to the gear/tactical carbine world. In general, I've noticed, most people start out by needing carbine mag pouches and some pistol pouches, which the UCR offers already built in. Try building a modular rig with equivalent capacity for under $90. You'll be hard-pressed to do it, and also match the quality of Eagle Industries.
EAGLE INDUSTRIES CHEST RIG (SKD ALL- MOLLE VERSION) and ESSTAC 'TOASTER' POUCH 8/06/06 - This is more of a suppliment than a full writeup to the Eagle Industries Universal Chest Rig, SKD MOLLE version, shown above. SKD Tactical is offering an all-molle version of the UCR platform. It's not a standard Eagle offering, but exclusive to SKD. The molle version shares the same 12.5" x 7" panel and shoulders straps as the UCR and has the same internal compartment in the center and mesh pocket in the rear (refer to the writeup above for details). The only difference is that it has no sewn-on pockets, but a PALS grid of 14 channels x 4 rows so the user can configure the chest rig with his own pouches. It's a simple, low-profile platform that isn't too bulky to be worn over body armour. I've shown it below with the Esstac Toaster pouch and EMDOM 6o4 pistol mag pouch.
Esstac Double M4 "Toaster" mag pouch -
Just when I thought that there wasn't anything really new that could
be done in M4 rifle mag pouch design, the double
M4 "Toaster" pouch made by Essential Tactical and carried
by SKD comes out. The Toaster is a pouch that holds two M4 30 round
mags. What makes this pouch unique is that the front magazine will
'pop up' like a piece of toast when the lid is lifted up. Inside the
pouch is an ingeniously designed elastic suspension system, which
serves two purposes - to provide elastic retention for the inner magazine,
and to pop the front mag up. The first 1.5" elastic strap loop
is sewn to the rear of the pouch, and retains the inner magazine securely.
The second elastic strap is sewn vertically to the first elastic strap
and to the inside front of the pouch, leaving some space at the bottom.
When the outer magazine is inserted, it stretches the front strap
as it's pushed to the bottom of the pouch. The lid is closed while
pushing the magazine down. When the lid is opened, the front mag pops
up about 1.5" higher than the inner mag, making it easier to
grab and extract as it puts more of the mag body in your hand.
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| SORD Australia Military Free Fall Chest Rig 1/29/06 - This is the Military Free Fall rig (MFF) from SORD Australia (Special Operations Research and Development). SORD carries a variety of miltiary and tactical equipment, and also manufactures products of their own design. The MFF is one of SORD's own products, and it's designed as specialized rig for anyone who may not have the room for a full-sized vest or chest rig, or requires little or no interference with webbing, harness or packs. Designed for free fall parachutists, drivers, climbers etc, the MFF only covers the front of the chest, out of the way of most other equipment with the minimum of bulk. The single trapezoidal panel has 3 rows of PALS webbing on it. The upper corners are angled off, which restricts the column of PALS on either side to two rows of PALS. The center portion has 6 columns x 3 rows of PALS webbing. The panel is lightly padded and retains its shape. The shoulder straps are 2" wide, and are constructed of 2" wide webbing with 1" webbing sewn on top. This makes for a very low profile, flat strap, which is more than adequate for a rig this size. The shoulder straps connect to the front via 1" SR fastex buckles and ladder locks at the sides of the panel. A 1" waist strap is attached and adjusted to the panel with ladder locks. It was spec'd this way for parachuting, to prodive more security than an SR buckle. Both the shoulder and waist straps are long enough to wear the MFF over body armour. Construction, quality and materials are very good.
As you can see from the photos below, it's an extremely compact rig. It just covers the chest area, and it's nice and stable. I loaded it up with a BH STRIKE double M4 pouch, a SOTECH small utility pouch and a Maxpedition flashlight pouch. I could have added another pistol mag pouch on the PALS next to the M4 pouch but didn't need to. Just like the Eagle UCR reviewed above, the MFF interfaces nicely with a pack. Even better actually, due to its compact size. The photos below illustrate how there is absolutely no interference whatsoever with a pack, and the low profile shoulder straps are almost unnoticeable under the pack's straps.
The pics below show it worn over a Crye belt rig, and the same pouches attached as in the previous photos. I'm carrying two FAL mags instead of M4 mags, since that's what I'm shooting. Wearing it, I'm reminded of Eagle's Biafran Mile Run rig, which was a minimalist chest pouch designed to carry only a couple of essential items, only it was smaller and wasn't modular. The MFF might suit the same purpose as well, with greater versatility. The only change I made to the MFF was to replace one of the waist strap ladder locks with a SR buckle, to make donning and doffing easier. (SORD tells me that they had already planned to implement this in their updated model)
The MFF is about as small/low profile a chest rig as you can get, and still be practical. Depending on what pouches you install, its carrying capacity might surprise you. Besides its intended military users, I also think it's perfect for the backcountry hiker or hunter to carry ammunition or essentials within reach and quick access when wearing a pack. It'd also make a good platform for field photographers with the right pouches. Here's another example - shown below with the EMDOM USA Wide 3" pouch (found on this page) - this might give you medics and SAR guys some ideas. Just by chance, I also found that I could flip this rig around and wear it backwards like a little small-of-the-back pack with NO adjustment of the shoulder straps.
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PARACLETE R.A.C.K. (Ranger Assault Carrying Kit)
As far as the story goes, the R.A.C.K. in its first incarnation was originally made by Tactical Tailor for 2/75 with sewn down pockets. When the entire Regiment wanted it, Natick stepped in, added PALS and had SDS (Specialty Defense Systems) produce it for the U.S Army Rangers. Blackhawk also makes their version, as does Paraclete, as shown here. Thanks to J.S. for the loan of this item for pics. Since I have neither the BH or SDS versions on hand, I can't compare them to this product. The main panel has 3 rows of PALS webbing and 20 channels/columns. The bib (which can be folded out of the way) has 3 rows and 6 channels. The bib is held up by two tabs of webbing which go through D-rings on the shoulder straps. On the inside, the main body has 3 mesh pockets for maps or small/flat items and the bib has 1, with velcro tab closures.
The quality is the usual high standard of Paraclete with all high-stress points bartacked. At first, I had reservations about the comfort of the shoulder straps as they are only 1.5" wide and unpadded. However, donning the vest and loading it up proved to be more comfortable than I thought. Quite a pleasant surprise, actually. It's quite form fitting, just like the BH STRIKE chest harness. The shoulder straps are a bit difficult to adjust as you have to pull up and back. You can pre-set the length of the straps, but have to get used to taking it on and off. The advantage to the thin straps are that they do not affect the wearing of a ruck at all. The shoulder straps are connected to the front of the main body via side-release fastex buckles, in case the rig needs to be ditched or taken off quickly. The bib attachments will have to be released first, of course. The setup shown here consists of the following Paraclete pouches: 1 quad pistol mag, 4 double M4, 1 radio, 1 small GP and 2 flashbang pouches.
 Front view |
 Front view showing pouches |
 Inside view |
 Front view |
 Rear |
PARACLETE RAV (RELEASABLE ASSAULT
VEST) ASSAULTER KIT
As the name implies, this vest released via a 'rip cord' handle for emergency
doffing. It's covered in PALS webbing and will hold soft and hard armour plates.
The assaulter kit comes with a zillion pouches and pockets. The smoke green
colour is REALLY nice. Don't write me about it - this one isn't mine :-(
PARACLETE RAV (RELEASABLE ASSAULT
VEST) - DESERT
This is the 3-colour desert version of the RAV. This thing has almost too
MUCH PALS webbing, making it tempting to fill every available space with a
pouch. This vest is designed for mounted patrols or door kicking, not long
range jungle walks or mountain climbs. Too friggin' heavy, bulky and hot (with
plates and ballistic panels). Some of the key features of the RAV include:
