As a guy who wears a chest rig more than any other type of system (Mayflower R&D Gen VI Pusher or Tyr COMA Sniper, which is more of a hybrid), good write up.
As a counterpoint to Gruntproof, the thickness issue isn't only about going prone. See 10:45 for another reason:
Also, for me, it's more about weight distribution and back health - the more weight I have on my front, the more my back screams at me.
Those are the reasons *I* choose to stay as slick as possible in the front. One day, someone will develop a perfect, do-it-all system. Until then, I just juggle various setups based on current task. Chest rigs definitely fall in that rotation.
The more I play with it, the more the pendulum effect of putting weight in front of the first layer (mags) becomes clear to me is the real issue with back pain. Balancing with a pack is a major factor also.
The conversation in the clip was specifically related to .308 and PCs. However, based on conversations with him, he holds the same beliefs about chest rigs.
Yeah, he mentioned walls and fences in the video, and yes, his last duty assignment was incredibly CQB-centric. His time in 82nd, Rangers, and AWG...not so much.
I think back to my time pre-GWOT, in jungle environments, with almost all of my leadership being 'Nam vets (many of them BN and Force Recon), and their insistence that you kept as much off your front as possible, and that you were capable of shimmying out of your gear quickly (kinda like cave divers in SCUBA). That stuck with me.
It looks like the Pusher has gone up in price, but it is a truly awesome chest rig - capable of switching between 4ea 5.56, 7.62x39, or 7.62x51 mags...or 2ea of any of the above, with a gp pouch. Came with a nice pull-out IFAK sleeve for the pouch. They used to have a really neat add-on kit for it that turned it into a PC, with a day pack.
Keeping a single thickness chest harness you are gonna get (8) pockets using the TAPS specifically (which is more than most) keeping the 6+1 doctrinal mag count, you have 2 pockets left that can't hold anything thicker than a mag. If I'm busting doors in, it's not an issue.
If I'm patrolling the community... one of those slots if for a radio, one might be a TQ. Everything else like smoke/thermal or monocular/BOK/water goes in a pack?
If vehicle ops, gotta don the pack as you get out?
The rig you quoted has built in double thickness, how's that any different?
Pieces listed in the article. I called it "hybrid," because, while it has the design of LBE, it was designed to be worn higher, where a cumberbund on a PC would go. This made it a cross between LBE, and a split-front chest rig.
Extremely comfortable, and well thought-out, but also ridiculously expensive.
Dang awesome I keep changing around my taps also to where it works for me … I’ve started a second one to attach to my plate carrier…keep up the good work and post…
As a guy who wears a chest rig more than any other type of system (Mayflower R&D Gen VI Pusher or Tyr COMA Sniper, which is more of a hybrid), good write up.
As a counterpoint to Gruntproof, the thickness issue isn't only about going prone. See 10:45 for another reason:
https://youtu.be/3Sh1gNW4yeI?feature=shared
Also, for me, it's more about weight distribution and back health - the more weight I have on my front, the more my back screams at me.
Those are the reasons *I* choose to stay as slick as possible in the front. One day, someone will develop a perfect, do-it-all system. Until then, I just juggle various setups based on current task. Chest rigs definitely fall in that rotation.
The more I play with it, the more the pendulum effect of putting weight in front of the first layer (mags) becomes clear to me is the real issue with back pain. Balancing with a pack is a major factor also.
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EDIT: 05.26.24 0753z
Nice Kit: ~$380.00 delivered
https://www.velsyst.com/products/uw-chest-rig-the-pusher-gen-vi
https://www.tyrtactical.com/shop/tyr-tactical-coma-sniper-harness/
I think Chucks pointing out bulking up plate carriers, isn't he? Also, specifically concerning double-stacked 308 mags while climbing over walls?
I'm going to submit that this is not a concern for the majority of rural patrols.
The conversation in the clip was specifically related to .308 and PCs. However, based on conversations with him, he holds the same beliefs about chest rigs.
Yeah, he mentioned walls and fences in the video, and yes, his last duty assignment was incredibly CQB-centric. His time in 82nd, Rangers, and AWG...not so much.
I think back to my time pre-GWOT, in jungle environments, with almost all of my leadership being 'Nam vets (many of them BN and Force Recon), and their insistence that you kept as much off your front as possible, and that you were capable of shimmying out of your gear quickly (kinda like cave divers in SCUBA). That stuck with me.
It looks like the Pusher has gone up in price, but it is a truly awesome chest rig - capable of switching between 4ea 5.56, 7.62x39, or 7.62x51 mags...or 2ea of any of the above, with a gp pouch. Came with a nice pull-out IFAK sleeve for the pouch. They used to have a really neat add-on kit for it that turned it into a PC, with a day pack.
So lets game this out...
Keeping a single thickness chest harness you are gonna get (8) pockets using the TAPS specifically (which is more than most) keeping the 6+1 doctrinal mag count, you have 2 pockets left that can't hold anything thicker than a mag. If I'm busting doors in, it's not an issue.
If I'm patrolling the community... one of those slots if for a radio, one might be a TQ. Everything else like smoke/thermal or monocular/BOK/water goes in a pack?
If vehicle ops, gotta don the pack as you get out?
The rig you quoted has built in double thickness, how's that any different?
https://www.velsyst.com/cdn/shop/products/uw-chest-rig-the-pusher-gen-vi-rigs_2_319.jpg
Appreciate the convo as usual!
I rarely use the front pouches, and if I do, it is for soft items.
And yeah, pack or belt. For me:
Chest Rig:
[ ] Mayflower Pusher Gen VI
[ ] IFAK
[ ] Comms
[ ] Vortex Recce Pro
[ ] IR Chemlights x3
[ ] Rifle Magazines x4
[ ] Pistol Magazine x1
[ ] Spare batteries
[ ] Paint can lid opener
[ ] Clif Bars x2, Clif Energy Gels x3
Belt:
[ ] Lead Devil MOLLE belt
Left to Right:
[ ] Pistol mag x1
[ ] Holster + TQ
[ ] Multitool (MUT)
[ ] IFAK (Dark Angel DARK LITE)
[ ] Dump pouch (EGL Loppy)
[ ] Rifle mag x1
[ ] Handheld light (Modlite PLHv2)
[ ] Pistol mag x2
Can add another rifle mag or a water bottle, if needed.
With a D60 in the gun, that gives me the traditional 6+1 (in terms of ammo), as listed.
ETA:
I also have a very detailed first line, which covers a lot of the stuff people tend to carry on the 2nd Line:
https://danielmorgan1776.substack.com/p/1st-line-standard.
Yes, I carry a lot of med.
Tyr used to sell an entire "COMA Sniper Kit":
https://www.military.com/kitup/2011/06/sf-snipers-dig-tyr-rigs.html
Pieces listed in the article. I called it "hybrid," because, while it has the design of LBE, it was designed to be worn higher, where a cumberbund on a PC would go. This made it a cross between LBE, and a split-front chest rig.
Extremely comfortable, and well thought-out, but also ridiculously expensive.
Dang awesome I keep changing around my taps also to where it works for me … I’ve started a second one to attach to my plate carrier…keep up the good work and post…