The Gun Counter

I can't remember if this has been covered with these specifications... even from me? How's that for a rough night.

Anyway, I need a vest I can throw on in the middle of the night. Requirements:

* Small enough to fit in a bedside drawer
* Molle (for chest-mounted holster and flashlight pouch)
* Plate carrier not desired

Ideas?

Pawpaw's more informed than me, but here's my personal opinion, by $$$ value and ease of use basis:

Get a used IIIA vest (maybe that can have insert plates added for III or even IV); from a reputable source.
One that zips and vecros closed in the front is MUCH quicker/easier to don than the kind that has to go over your head, with the side wraps.
NO, it isn't as absolutely good as the solid front type, but you are not kicking in doors in Iraq. The vast majority of guns carried by your local goblins are handguns, not PKMs with steel cored ammo.

As for keeping in a drawer, it would have to be a fairly large drawer. How about just stand it up inside the closet?

You can start looking here: Bullet Proof Me.

Some years ago a company made what was basically a big fanny pack with a Kevlar shield that pulled out of it, the pack went around your waist and a strap on top of the shield went over your head like a butcher's apron. Only provided front protection, but certainly fast to deploy, and the pack had a holster and place for flashlight/extra magazines.

US Palm Defender. About $200 with a single soft armor insert.

Are you looking for body armor or simply load bearing equipment?

If you're just looking a quick grab and go when something goes bump in the night, how about an tanker type shoulder holster with a spare mag pouch and flashlight pouch attached? I've used that set up when traveling for my hotel grab and go set up. Stores in most bedside drawers, easy to throw on, and conceals well enough under a jacket in cases where a fire alarm is going off to not freak out the mundanes.

MarkD wrote:Some years ago a company made what was basically a big fanny pack with a Kevlar shield that pulled out of it, the pack went around your waist and a strap on top of the shield went over your head like a butcher's apron. Only provided front protection, but certainly fast to deploy, and the pack had a holster and place for flashlight/extra magazines.

That would be Second Chance.

There are any number of plate carriers out there that would work, without plates.

Me, I keep a push pack loaded and handy, and a shoulder rig with a couple of spare mags just in case.

Things get really weird, I still have a vest style body armor carrier and armor panels from my days in blue. But honestly, I prefer not to use/wear beat carriers, they are uncomfortable and too much like putting all the eggs in one basket.