I am trying to set up a home defense/minuteman rig. Something like a battle belt or bandoleer. Something that has my glock and 2 spare mags and two to three spare 30rd ar mags. I already have a duty belt and a riggers belt. I am looking for advice or suggestions for the mag carriers. I will also have a fenix tk10 on the belt. suggestions and pictures would be great. I have searched the site and found a few things but nothing that will suit my needs at this point. Also any slings similar to the ms2, it will be attached to an ASAP plate.
Well, I’d have to say that those are wildly different scenarios. I’m not mil or LE, but I have given some real thought as a civilian where this may be applicable.
For a bump in the night situation, I don’t think that I’d want to waste time getting all jocked up. I think the most practical setup would be to have your carbine set up with a white light and a spare mag on the gun although I have trouble envisioning a scenario where I’d use that many rounds and I’d get rid of any gun that I didn’t have 100% confidence would go through an entire mag without issues. Set the gun up to “grab and go”.
For a Katrina type incident, if I were to openly carry a carbine (and I wouldn’t) I’d probably have it set up the same way. Again, as a civilian I’m having a hard time thinking that I’d have to shoot anyone at all much less run through a 3-4 mags. Realistically, my normal concealed carry gear would be what I’d carry.
My suggestion, be more practical and less tactical.
I agree with the grab and go set up and that is where I think I am heading. I have a Spikes Tactical mid length with a 6p mounted for light. My current job in a natural distaster setting it would not be out of the normal to open carry a carbine. I just don’t want a chest rig set up. I want one or two spare mags for both the pistol and carbine. I was looking at the US Grunt Gear mag carriers they seem like they would fit the bill.
After more thought I was misleading in my orginal post. My main concern is a natural distaster type sanario. I just want a good setup for carrying a few extra mags. Sorry for the confusion.
Focus on reality and the true needs of yourself. If you feel that you need more than a normal concealed carry, just enhance it by adding an extra(3rd/4th) pistol mag and flashlight if not already carried. The need to blend if leaving the house may be important. If at home and you want the carbine, pick a means of carrying extra mags and emergency items. An armor carrier or chest pouch would be quick to don if needed. If. you had to leave-leave early and don’t be a target-you know the one with the four wheel drive and hurricane trailer all jocked up with goodies ripe for the taking.
What exactly do you do where open carrying a carbine wouldn’t be out of the ordinary? I think that even in LE rolling around with a long gun slung isn’t an everyday occurrence.
At any rate, if you have a mag on the gun is it our of the question to stick a spare in your back pocket? Or in any of the kydex, leather, nylon belt pouch. I really think that you’re over thinking this unless you’re a LEO, or somewhere outside the US.
I believe the context of his statement would lead me to believe that he meant specifically during a katrina type situation, where most general order in the indigenous area has collapsed, his job along with that of the natl guard and most if not all LE departments would be rolling around in full battle rattle…which is completely true if you were to look back at footage from Katrina or Andrew… and I would be as well if said type of situation was to occur again considering I live about 8 miles from the gulf coast at this point in time.
Start with a level IIIa vest, a good holster and mag pouches.
Goggles don’t hurt (I just use safety glasses), I have some Surefire earplugs available, and some thin gloves.
Make sure all shooters regularly at the location have their own dedicated gear available and there are plans in place for where your shooters will be if the “bump” at X location. Figure out a system to avoid crossfire and shooting each other (my house runs in a large circle).
A small med kit with 2 hemostats (eg. Combat Gauze), abdominal pads in a molle or other pouch. Scissors are helpful, don’t forget the gloves, at least 3 pair- you might need help and they’re useful.
Unless he is LE, and I’m not sure if he is nor not which is part of my confusion. I don’t think it’d be advisable to run around with a slung carbine in full battle rattle in the even of a natural disaster. I he is a copper, then my civi-centric POV is probably not useful.
I would look at the U.S. Peacekeeper rapid deployment pack. I picked one up and have been pretty impressed with it. It can be slung across your shoulder and can carry up two 4 AR magazines and 2 pistol magazines. Plus it has two pouches where you can store a small first aid kit, light, or other misc. accessories. In addition, it really doesn’t draw attention like a chest rig or other more tactical type gear. Finally, it makes a pretty good range bag for when you take your AR out to the range. They cost around $40 and I feel it is a good value for the money.
Sounds like you have some additional criteria when you put the minuteman part in there. Are you looking for a rig that can do and carry what it needs to and be put on in very short notice??
This was also one of the things I was requiring when I put together what I run now. Years ago, it was a rifle, powder horn, and bag that regular Joe’s could grab and go at a mintue’s notice. it was at the ready, so was the way…
Today, I can pull this and more out of a locked filing cabinet drawer and have it set in well under a minute. It is also very handy to just shove it in a gear bag, pull it out, and be ready for a class…
My reason behind this rig, is that I live in the country, just South of my neighboring state’s #1 meth producing county. I appreciate the local LEO’s, and most of the time they have very good reposnse time to house alarm calls. However, I want something a little more than a pistol, if a carload of 'heads pull up into the yard…
I don’t think a civilian on this forum would be out galavanting the roads in times of a natural disaster, I think they have the tactical mindset to stay put in a controlled environment where they are more familiar with the layout and know when things seem out of place. That being said, simply because I am at my house that doesn’t mean I won’t have weapon slug in full battle rattle when society is basically nonexistent outside me…
For bump in the night I keep a pair of shorts beside my bed. Shorts, for me, are faster to slip on. On these shorts I have my Endeavor cobra belt from Kary and magazine holsters/magazines. When my holster arrives, my Glock will be on the shorts as well. Until then, it sits on my nightstand. With this set up, I don’t have to worry about being fancy and buttoning, zipping my shorts; I just snap the cobra belt buckle into place. I also have a flashlight on the nightstand; but whenever I can afford a handgun light, it will be added to the mix.
I have a battle belt set up for SHTF situations. It has 3 AR mags, 3 pistol mags, a 120L flashlight, a fixed blade knife in kydex sheath, and a blackhawk serpa holster for my P229.
It is a padded belt that clips together so it is very quick to put on. I went with the blackhawk clip style belt so I can pick it up and have it secured in a matter of a few seconds if needed. I mostly only use it for carbine classes, but it’s always ready at home if I ever need it.
For a bump in the night scenario, I would probably just grab my loaded AR with mounted surefire light and call it good. I think 30 rounds of 5.56 in a home defense situation should hopefully be more than enough to stop a threat.
For a Katrina type situation, I could see the benefit of having a quick-deployment belt that has extra mags and maybe a med kit etc. I’ll post some pics of mine when I get home tonight if you want.
I found a couple pictures on my computer. Maybe they can give you some ideas. I have since added the fixed blade knife to my belt, and run the dump pouch during classes, but these pictures show more or less how I have it set up. This way may not be best for everyone, but after running through a couple classes, this is how I like it.