Civilian Load Bearing Gear

[JAG2955]

What, in your opinion is necessary for the militia, the body of people at large? If you've got a pistol for any reason other than the range, you probably have a holster and mag pouches for it to CCW. So how does this translate to a rifle?

I'd say:
Obviously a sling-a sling is to a rifle what a holster is to a pistol.
A way to hold 2-4 magazines comfortably with the capability to reload rapidly-chest rig, belt, LBV, active shooter bag, whatever.
A utility knife and/or multitool.
A first-aid/blow-out kit with minimum of tourniquet, pressure bandage, gauze, and tape.
A water source.

Thoughts/opinions?

[Jered]

Add a flashlight.

[JustinR]

I've been trying to determine the answer to this question, for my own SHTF purposes. If I could afford body armor, I'd buy a vest with Molle attachment loops and go that way. One alternative I've been looking at is a rifle plate carrier (buy the carrier and gear now, and forward/rear and side plates as I can afford them.) Another alternative would be a battle belt, with AR mags, pistol mags, first aid kit, canteen holder, and radio attached.

I have a used Vietnam era LBV, with AR mag pouches that are difficult to get mags in and out, a belt that's difficult to adjust, and stitching that's coming out everywhere, so it needs to be replaced.

[308Mike]

Justin, if the stitches are coming out, you might want to consider reinforcing, at minimum, the stress points by hand-sewing them using dental floss (the waxed floss slides through material easier and is water-proof until they are significantly worn) which will probably outlast the LBV. I don't know how you can color the floss so it matches your gear, but if your stitches are small and tight, they'll be pretty hard to see. Unless you cut it, floss is almost impossible to break.

[Yogimus]

Gear that rests on the hips via web belt versus on the shoulders as most plate carriers if you plan on being on foot, opposite if you plan on being in a vehicle. I recomment the old Y frames.

[JustinR]

I'll try that Mike, thanks. I think I have some green, mint flavor floss around here somewhere...

[randy]

I have the mid-80's LBE I put together while on active duty. Same stuff I was issued but I bought my own so I could personalize it.

I've replaced the 2 canteens on the belt from active duty to a Camelback attached to the back of the harness. 2 ammo pouches (3X30 M-16), holster (Bianchi UM-84) with matching magazine pouch. Aircrew survival knife attached to left front harness. Flashlight, Field dressing pouch containing dressing, gloves and survival mirror on right front harness. Another with compass and whistle on left front above the knife. Butt pack with mission specific contents or empty on belt attached to rear harness. Lots of cable ties and 550 cord to secure everything to the harness/belt.

I can alternate with a UM84R for my S&W model 19 with small pouches that secure in the grenade pockets of the magazine pouches that hold speed loaders, and a speed strip on each side of the buckle where it folds back on itself secured with belt keepers.

These days I mostly use it when supporting rural searches with amateur radio. Remove holster, pack ammo pouches with radio, spare batteries and GPS.

I could probably do better, but this is what I have, I'm used to it, and it's paid for. I was prepared to walk from Osan to Pusan wearing it, so it'll do.

[blackeagle603]

add a cell phone pouch.

I like the plate carrier with Molle option Justin suggested for my use. Need something don quickly at home when something goes bump in the night or when watching the property/road or egressing by vehicle during fires/quake/pwr/EBT outage scenarios when the cops are busy elsewhere.

[Yogimus]

I recommend having separate plate carrier and load bearing vest. A minimal carrier is recommended over a "vest" style.

[Aesop]

Tried everything as a gear whore toy-a-holic back around '03/'04.
Still have a seabag in the attic with the same (except brand-new) 782 gear I was issued in the 80s.

But I tried the new MOLLE gear, because I could.

After that trial by fire, you can have the ALICE douchegear (not a typo), because as proof that all government monopolies ultimately f*** up crowbars in sandboxes, ALICE blows both relatively and absolutely.

YMMV, but purely for my purposes, what worked best, after any number of fiddles with anything and everything:
Center-zip vest with side adjustment (paracord laces).
lower left: 2 double mag rifle pouches
mid left : center-side opening gas mask pouch, with 16X binos, watch cap, gloves, and usually a coupla power/granola bars, etc.
top left: flashbang pouch with a Surefire 6P and red or IR filter, or equiv., because they don't fit in anything else
lower right: quad pistol mag pouch
mid-right: IFAK and snivel gear pouch
upper right: misc. pouch for a compass, a multitool, pen/pencil & notebook
left rear shoulder: radio pouch for a high-speed Motorola (don't ask, I could tell you but then I'd hafta etc. etc.)
3L Camelback on rear centerline

An M1A Socom or an M4-gery go on a three point sling, and a pistol in an issue Bianchi green or desert monster on the right hip on my belt.
The vest rides well above it, and if I shuck the vest for any reason, I'm still armed, which is advisable in almost-Mexico.

Even with the radio and Camelback, I can and have mounted and humped an asskicking ruck, and either with or without one, I usually end up with the team medkit, since I'm the designated trauma junkie and den mother.

My vest(s) have all been Voodoo Tactical, the in-house brand of Major Surplus in Gardena, or Condor. They're basically identical to Blackhawk, without Blackhawk's arm-and-one-testicle asking price. ALL of which preceding are made in VN and China.
I've walked, jogged, hiked, and crawled in mine in scorching summers and freezing rain winters, and it holds up. Much better, and more comfortable and secure than my issue gear ever did, and MOLLE is quieter, plus nothing falls off, nor gets lost. It zips and/or snaps closed, it goes on or off in 3 seconds, other than the separate holster, and it adjusts to take plate carrier underneath (or I could just move everything to a side-mount rig, and drop the plates into that).
And both a plus or a minus, the thing still has room for more, and carries more crap than I want to.

I've tried a "battle belt". Without suspenders, it becomes a "battle ankle garter", and your ass gets cold. With suspenders and/or wide belt/padding, you've added the bulk and weight of the MOLLE vest, without any of the utility.

I repeat, YMMV, but that works for me. With an added field jacket and poncho, I can work out of that for up to 24 hours, in January or July. Anything longer, and I want a day pack, serious pack, BOB, or whatever. And less the rifle, the whole thing fits into a gym bag, and it's go-to-war ready and on in seconds.