This might have been covered in some other discussions or maybe it hasn’t. As a person getting ready to take a tactical carbine class, would you gear up like a solider going to war(plate carrier, plates, 6+ mags for primary, 4+ for secondary, BOK, ie: gear queer) or just keep it simple?
I am not saying in my personal life i am gearing up for a big SHTF scenario but in a sense i could be if you get my drift. Buying plates and plate carrier fit into my lifestyle of preparedness and i see them as possible force multipliers.
Now, that being said, what are your personal ideas/thoughts about the situation and why. There is no bad answer other than smart ass remarks.
And NO, i am not a Delta Seal Submarine Door Gunner who thinks buying all this shit is going to turn me into Rambo. I am just a regular guy who likes guns and equipment to play with. As i recently found out, i am not 10 foot tall and bullet proof like i thought i was when i was 17.
For me (as a Civy), I go simple and commonly pull mags out of pockets. If the class is a shoot house class, I will wear plates and such. So just follow the clas gear list and you will be good.
I guess i should have stated what class. Its a Paul Howe CSAT tactical carbine class. it calls for all tactical gear + mags. And thanks for the response fellers!
Don’t really know what “Tactical gear” really means. So I would go simple. Get a good kydex type mag pouch(s), instructors belt and just roll with that.
This is sound advice. I’ve rolled both ways. I’ve been in a class with a complete war belt and chest rig. Then I did it with the chest rig and belt holster. The last class I did I used a belt holster and two kydex rifle pouches.
It can be somewhat situation/curriculum specific. Most instructors want you to come on line with at least 3-4 spare mags, plus one in the rifle. With two rifle mags on the belt, you still need room for another 2 spare mags or so. You can run out of pockets fast, that’s why I prefer BDU or cargo style pants. I can throw mags, water bottles, snacks etc. in the pockets. If I’m in a class where my gear will be further from the firing line or we are doing some high round count drills, I may want more mags on me, so I’ll add the chest rig.
The only time I’ve found the war belt to be a real benefit is when I’m in bad weather and have a bunch of rain/snow gear on. The rest of the time I use my regular carry holster.
My advice is this: get a couple of kydex rifle pouches and wear your carry rig. I would also wear some cargo pants. This is really all you need. If you want to carry more mags, get a simple chest rig that carries three or so mags, but that’s optional.
Thanks for all your imput. I currently have a Tactical Tailor MAV with the bib on it and i got out and worked it hard the other day. Running, pushups, sit ups, and up downs. NOT A FAN AT ALL. All i had on it was 4 taco mag pouches and a medium utility pouch i throw all my cleaning gear and extra parts/pieces. I cinched that thing up as tight as i could and it still flops like a pancake. The molle sags and MAV separates from the bib leaving a gap that just annoys me. I bought some HSGI shoulder pads to help with the straps from slicing my head off and that helped with that problem but the overall rig is not what i am liking. It only weights something in the neighborhood of 14 lbs with all the stuff i put on it but to me, it feels like 50lbs. I am into extended stay camping so i know how to load a ruck that doesnt kill you back and shoulders.
You don’t need to show up at Paul’s class all tactical…in fact I would rather not. Figure out how you’re going to put two carbine magazines on your belt(you’ll be fine with one if you can manage to use a pocket, a pistol magazine and a holster. You’re class may not even use the pistol at all…leave the pistol and mag in your car unless you’re told to get it.
I would have five or six magazines loaded and ready to go in a bag somewhere or in your car…but you’ll have ample time to get magazines and restock your person during breaks.
Paul’s class is high in content, low on shooting for the sake of making noise.
Are you in an occupation where you have existing duty gear? If so wear it. Don’t have/need any gear but want to buy some? Knock yourself out…but I’d still leave it at home.
Paul Howe is not “most instructors.” If you still have a question he’s excellent about responding to email, I’d suggest sending him your question directly. He runs his class in full gear, because he doesn’t want to cheat the demos for the military/law enforcement guys, not because everyone needs to run his class in full gear. If you don’t ever use gear professionally…show up like a civilian. Listen, learn, and be respectful…you’ll have a great time and learn a lot.
Thanks for your advice. My profession is a construction guy who just happens to love guns. the thing about my job is during the summer i do make decent money so i can have my play time in the winter. i am getting into IDPA and would like to get into 3 gun later but my main focus right now is being able use the “tool” from the tool bag and use it correctly.
Did you take his class? Sounds like you know alot about his class.
[QUOTE=Backstop;1091430]I’ve been to CSAT a few times, and found Paul absolutely fast and gracious in answering emails.
I always ask something along the lines of:
What gear should I use?
How many mags should I have on my body?
Etc.
I think i will shoot him an email this weekend and see what he has to say.
Everywhere I go I try and have a completely open mind, and try everything the instructor(s) suggest.
i agree. whats the point in going into a class thinking you are the best already and your are there to show the instructor how badass you are. no point in spending the money to get trigger time if you are not going to listen. I am honestly going to take my eotech off and run it bare bones stock. everyone has a method to their madness and i am always willing to try anything once.
As a civilian I have always been just fine rocking 2-3 Kydex rifle mag pouches and 1 pistol mag pouch. My personal favorites are KytexGear and ReadyTac.
Do you have any tips or pointers since you have taken his class? Little things a person might not think of but come in handy after its all said and done?
I am leaning towards the VTAC belt with the tacos i already have. that seems like it would be enough from what i have read on here so far.
Pointers? Have fun. Listen. Don’t be cocky. You’ll learn as much(if not more)from the people in the instructor class, so don’t dismiss anyone. Stay in the hooch! You’ll make great friends and since it’s barracks style you’d have to really work to sleep in.
Like you, I am a civilian and had the same questions before attending my first carbine class. While it is simple to add a few mag holders to your everyday belt (assuming it is a suitable belt), reality says you will not be carrying rifle and pistol mags everyday. My solution was a "war belt’ that would work for the class, and could be donned quickly if “war breaks out on my street”. I kept it relatively simple, did not run a chest rig, and was very pleased with the results.
I try and train as close to how I expect any situation will go down. As a civilian that’s usually concealed with a spareor two pistol mag. If I have the time to grab my rifle it’s probably going to be a situation where I’m trying to be subtle, but also don’t want to waste time dicking with a bunch of gear so for me that means a couple Ready Tactical kydex AR pouches that I can throw on quickly and easily conceal. It doesn’t hurt that they’re awesome. I like their pistol mag pouches too, and all of them have served me well in classes.
I really like the mini chest rigs. You can keep your ammo on weak side and your med kit on your strong side. I keep mini chest rigs stashed alongside my rifles. US Grunt gear and Original SOE make them as well as other manufacturers. They also work well during training and you can take them off and on easily. It is up to you if you want to be low profile, but if you pick up a magazine fed centerfire rifle it is hard to keep things stealthy.
