What tactical vest/LBE do you favor?

[GunnerMax]

Mitunnelrat. I have 2 of those shock corded suspenders, and I use a set of those with my HSGI sure grip padded belt every day at work for the last 2 months and they are great. Ill post pics of my setup today, but it is still a work setup until training ends in 2 weeks (bulletproof vest and mil setup).

[Gunfixr]

I have a battlebelt built using a Blackhawk MOLLE belt piece, to which I added a custom made inner belt which uses an AlpinAire buckle, in the back, and to which I have sewn custom suspenders. It has hooks for a Blackhawk hydration carrier on the back, and TAG pouches for rifle, and some unknown pistol pouches. I also have a few SpecOps pouches.
That's for the rifle.
For the subgun/carbine, I have a USGI MOLLE lightweight mesh vest, with the same unknown (maybe Condor?) pistol pouches, and Blackhawk subgun mag pouches. This is a lightweight, in town, "run and gun" rig for the UZI or TP9.
I also have an Arktis vest, old school, with permanent pouches that will hold either AR or AK mags. I have modded this with some MOLLE sections so I can add other pouches.
I have dump pouches on all setups.
I have a cheap AK mag pouch, and some more of the Blackhawk subgun mag pouches, as well as another battlebelt and several old school USGI web belts, so I can set up something else quickly to hand out or to give to another family member who would otherwise not necessarily be in the fight.
I do have a Level III plate carrier w/ ceramic plates, but so far I haven't loaded it. I just have the other setups to drop over it.
As I am just about finished with the bolt gun, I want to set up a rig to carry mags for that, along with mags for the TP9, as I think that and the bolt rifle would make a pretty good combo.
Subgun mag pouches are kind of hard to find anymore, as everyone has gone to using M4s for what subguns used to be used for.

[prepguide]

Great input, thanks to all. Much appreciated

[Doc B]

I know there are many new options out there but I still find the USGI stuff fits the bill for me.

[greg48]

i am still old school i guess. i like the alice system uncle sam used for many years. i've a lbv for my magazines, holster on web belt for my hogleg. i have a ruck i humped for many years when i wore a uniform. got several pouches on the outside, the molle system works with the alice system so i've some of both. i do have a drop leg holster i carry sometimes, i can't really say i like the pistol on the leg or on the waist any better than the other. i do like the one point sling for my M4. i've a scabbard i can sling my shotgun or attach it to my ruck. i have a hydration system [camel back] i either carry on my back or put inside the top flap pocket of my ruck. the good thing about the army going to the molle system and digital color scheme the alice equipment in od green is very affordable, more money to spend on ammo.

[Jerry D Young]

Finally got the money together to get an FMCO 8-magazine vest for my PTR-91. Everything I expected and more.

[bacpacker]

Thanks to brother Izzy, I picked up what looks to be a brand new Blackhawk LBE. came with suspender, belt, butt pack, 6 mag pouches, 2 canteen carriers, 2 utility pouches and a couple assorted pouches.

I'm looking forward to loading this thing up and toting it around and getting it adjusted in for me. This set up is a nice step up from my old rig, and now I have a back up for a different rifle as well.

[GunnerMax]

I have a duo of NSW Frog Rigs coming from Original SOE, as well as a Partisan LBV for the AK/M4 from 762Tactical. Otherwise, until those come in, I am running my Armored vest with SOE/eagle pouches.

[The Stig]

One word of advice from someone who has been nowhere and done nothing. If you haven't already, put the chest rig on and ensure there are no conflicts between pouches. If you carry a sidearm, are there any pouches that would prevent a clean draw? I carry a sidearm on my battlebelt, not a drop-leg, thus it rides higher. I have to keep the right side of any chest rig or plate carrier bare otherwise the pouch there will be in the way of the pistola.

Especially if you are using a separate belt and vest/plate carrier you need to make sure everything works together. Can you reach your first aide kit? Can you reach it with both hands? Does anything jam into your sides that would become miserable after a short while? If you raise your rifle any pouches snag the sling?

Optimally you want to wear your equipment out on a long hike or other strenuous activity. This will really shake it out and ensure your setup works for you. If you are a fat salesguy like me, however, work with what you are given. Many days when I work from my home office I'll toss on a plate carrier and belt. While there is no activity it does help to just get used to it being on. If your yard offers privacy consider wearing your gear while doing yard work or even cleaning the house.

The more you wear it the better.

Anyway, there are far more guys here who have worn these items in a real-world situation and can guide us all further. I'm sure they'll be along shortly.

[greg48]

hey stig; just to bounce off your post, i've also carried the sidearm in the holster on the front of the carrier, problem there is with a bunch of magazines, a radio etc...it gets to where to low in the prone is impossible and to do a combat roll is like a big turtle doing drills...the other side of the coin is if you put stuff on the waist to get alot on there ya' sometimes you get to where it interferes with carrying a pack/ruck. the key is putting the crap on and trying everthing from humping the pack/ruck to IMTs. i know you know this stig as well as most on here i'm just talking out loud...