I was planning on using it for a class. I didn’t like the fact that I had to use excessive force just to get the mags in to the pouches. When I went to pull one out, it would just jerk the whole rig up and I was left there looking like a jackass tugging on my mag. :o
I’m sure it would loosen up but honestly I didn’t own it long enough to find out. At first I just tried leaving the bungees out of the way (to the side) but I always got things tangled up. It was easy to remove the bungees (without cutting them) so I tried it that way. The pouches are lined in something sort of like grip tape, so there was plenty of retention without the bungees. There was no permanent modification, so it would not be hard to reattach the bungees once things loosened up a bit. I put the bungees back on mine before I sold it, so I know it’s not hard to do.
It really was a pretty nice rig, simple and well built. It just wasn’t right for me I guess.
I tried to add the bungees again, it certainly wasn’t a hassle to add them again, though my fingers are raw after doing it a second time.:o
I wanted to add them to to be extra secure, but as much as it pains my near bleeding fingers, they just aren’t needed. I’ve since removed them… again.:eek:
One thing that bugs me though is that the pouches on the left and right sides are what I would call normal, and the rest of the pouches in the middle are what I would call pretty tight.
That is, except for a pouch 2nd from the leftmost one. This pouch is horribly tight. I’ve worked it to the point where inserting the mag isn’t too tough, but when you pull it out, as the above poster said, it jerks the whole rig up. This is with empty mags though, so I’d hope the mass of the other mags would help keep the rig down when the others are loaded.
My mag grabbing order coincidentally is helpful here, as I work left to right, and this happens to be my second mag I go to, giving me four other mags to counter-balance the “jerk” from pulling the 2nd mag. Also the first mag is really easy to get to compared to the others, so at least I’ll be able to manage one reload OK.
I know exactly what you guys are saying about DBT stuff. It’s really high quality stuff…except the QC of the fit is always hit or miss. I ordered 3 compass/strobe pouches and all three were just a little different (one would fit an etrex, one would fit a compass, the other would only fit a knife/leatherman). I just feel better knowing that every piece of gear they sell has that little American flag sewn into it…even if it means longer break in time.
OP: great thread, always nice to hear detailed info on gear.
S/F,
Dave
I just emailed a rep at DBT the link to this thread- they thanked me and were not aware of these problems and they will be looking into them ASAP.
This is a good lesson- if you have a problem with gear from a reputable manufacturer, let them know…they really don’t want to piss off the end user(unless it’s blackhawk; when they will just send you a brand new piece of sh$t;) )
Well after working with it for some time, the 2nd pouch is loosening up. Its now just a tad tighter than the others (depends which one, they are somewhat varied in tightness) Its at the point now where it doesn’t jerk the rig up anymore. The pouches are still tight enough to keep the mags pretty secure, the only way I’ve got them to fall out on their own is by flipping it upside down and just letting it dangle for about 3 seconds. I’m pretty satisfied with that retention without the bungee loops so I’ll wear em like this till they get loose enough that they need the bungees then I’ll just add them back on.
Here is my personal opinion on chest rigs and it is worth what you paid for it. Unless your running plates, avoid them. As a Civy, just get a padded belt and put 2-3 AR mag pouches on it along with 2-3 pistol pouches and maybe a dump pouch and call it a day.
I have owned and do own several chest rigs and are really overkill for about 99% of the training you will do. The less crap strapped to you, the better off you are and will get more from the training.
You couldn’t be more right Grant. However, for some us(like me), I hate stuff on my waist. I would say the “chest rig” set-up is a real money make when you are always in and out of vehicles. You are right on with the overkill part, I could just never get my pants to stay up without suspenders- so I just went back to wearing about 85% on my chest and 15% of my gear on my waist.
OP, sorry for the total highjack- keep me posted I’m really interested in the DBT LV-3 rig…it’s about the cheapest way to hold 6 mags close. I’m really interested in how it breaks in.
If your wearing a last resort type riggers best and then a form of tactical belt (with Pad) you couldn’t keep your pants up? I do not have this issue at all.
Another down side to a chest harness is shooting prone.
Once again, its all about purpose. Chest rigs serve many purposes if they don’t serve your purpose, don’t wear one. If you are in and out of vehicles they are great. If you shoot from the prone they suck…but if you are shooting from the prone wouldn’t you be a sniper or a DM? I don’t know many people who carried carbines that would put themselves in a stationary position like prone during a gun fight…and I don’t know any snipers or DM’s who wear chest rigs.
Gear on hips works if you don’t run body armor and are not in and out of vehicles. But wearing too much on your thighs will get really old really fast if you have to run( I challenge anyone to put a drop holster on one leg, and on the other leg a drop pouch containing 3 to 4 AR mags with 28 rds. each and then sprint 100 yards…if you don’t know what I’m talking about).
Now if all you do is take Civy classes without too many endurance drills- then go with what ever makes you more proficient.
If you are in a specific job field that requires this type of equipment I have always believed it’s best to ask the guys who have been doing it the longest why they chose the gear they use. The “cadre” are always the best source of info on gear and equipment and can save you a ton of money with about 10 minutes of advice.
Personally, I have a little of everything, because we will never be able to choose the situation (specific gear has a specific use) you have to be prepared.
Finally took it out to the range today. I used the elastic bungees, they didn’t get in the way at all. All mag pouches seem to be loose enough now. Didn’t have any issues with the straps or lack of padding at all. Reloads were a breeze, even when prone. Just slide the bungee off and pull your mag out, no problems at all, even with the mysteriously tight “2nd” pouch, which I believe is finally worn in. Great setup for 6 mags. Nothing more, nothing less. If I manage to, I might get some DBT mag pouches for my other AR mags, and see how much more I can comfortably fit on this rig. So far, I’d say this setup will remain easy on the shoulders through 300 rounds carried on it.
When lead starts flying up and down the two way range you will attempt to present as small a target as possible. I promise you this. If that means lying upside down in a pool of toxic waste you’ll do it (assuming the fight lasts more than about 2 seconds). Occasionally it means going prone behind a 6" concrete curb. Not all gunfights are the bank robbery scene from ‘Heat.’
No Sir, You are correct- Not all happen like heat(good thing for LE)
I was just speaking from a military counter insurgency point of view(the whole “shoot, move, communicate” thing).
Personally, I just never felt comfortable being shot at while I was in a stationary position- personal preference I guess. But as always, “situation dictates”:rolleyes:
Yesterday I noticed that one portion of stitching about 1" long had given out. It was to the left of where the left hand shoulder strap came down to meet the back of the rig. Right behind the 1st and second mags. It was a one inch long portion of stitching that had given out, nothing too big considering there was a second row of stitching still intact about 1/4" right below it that still kept that 1" portion of fabric closed up, but I want to be as detailed as possible in my assessment of this rig. To be clear, there would still have been NO problem using this rig if it had not been fixed, I just like to keep my stuff maintained. (If you need a better description, along the back of this rig the two layers of fabric are sewn together with two rows of stitching running across the top, sides, and bottom of the back. The top row on the top of the backing had given out in a one inch segment to the left of the left shoulder strap. Very minor, but I felt it needed to repaired, and thus needed to be mentioned)
It was easily remedied by taking some OD thread and resewing the two layers of fabric in the rear back together in the 1" segment where the top row of stitching gave out. Easily done, 5 minutes tops. No big deal, just some time with needle and thread fixed 'er up, singed the loose ends of the original nylon thread, it shouldn’t be doing anything now.
Anything that goes wrong will be reported and I can assure you that I’ll be keeping everyone updated about this piece of gear. I’m still very satisfied and can’t see myself really ever getting rid of this.
BTW, since I’m thinking about it, does anyone know where to get that bungee cord used in the mag bungees?
Figured I’d give everyone an apdate while I’m here. I’ve had this rig and been using it fairly often. (Whenever I go to the range and then during dry-fire drills.)
It’s held up great. The shoulder straps feel very nice, I’ve used electrical tape to secure the keeper/excess adjustment portion of the strap. It keeps it from being undone, as well as making sure it stays the same length.
The straps have a tendency to dig into your neck if you aren’t wearing a shirt with a collar though. The rig hasn’t worn at all since the incident I noted, its been working great for me.
Bottom line, if you want 6 mags in an integrated chest rig with thin shoulder straps, go for this. The only draw back is the tight bungees, and then they aren’t an issue if you use it often.
I just bought a similar one, except it has only space for four mags and has a few more flap pockets.
So far loading it out, and adding camelbak, carbine and sidearm, it seems like it’s pretty functional. No issues mounting the rifle, swinging the rifle out to support side for transitions, and drawing sidearm.
I also noticed the very tight mag pouches and I also re-tied the bungees to get as much slack as I could. It seems they free up a bit after four or five mag insertions/deployments. Maybe the sticky coating is wearing out just a bit?
I’ll be using it at a 10-8 carbine class in two weeks, so maybe AAR to follow on it here.
How fast do you do transitions? When I’m using just my carbine I prefer a “purse” carry with the rifle sling over my left shoulder, so it naturally rides my right side. But when I put on the 6004, I do a chest carry, but the carbine hits my mags, giving it a good scraping. (you can see me thread about it in general AR) Just curious to see what you’re doing considering the open pouches and all.
I don’t know how fast I am, but I do not let my rifle hang in front of me. I forcibly swing it around to my left with my left hand as the right reaches for the pistol. As I clear leather, the left hand is off the rifle and coming back to meet the right. I sling up with a BFG VCAS: sling comes off left side of receiver plate, over my right shoulder, behind my neck, under left armpit and up to side swivel on FSB.
