VMI-MO
01-23-10, 15:56
Blue Force Gear Ten-Speed Chest Rig
Technical Information:
-Weighs 8.7oz
-Holds 6 M4 mags in a single layer across the front
-Has “H” Style harness with Velcro area on the back for patches
Initial impressions
Very well made. Simple design. Thin and light. Excellent workmanship and quality.
Reasoning for moving towards a chest rig and why I picked the Ten-Speed.
First was the fact that I felt like I was getting to bogged down with my typical belt set up. I was using an ATS Warbelt. On this setup I carried 2 M4 mags, 2 G17 mags, a dump pouch and my secondary weapon/holster. I found this set up was comfortable for just standing around but whenever I was required to move (sprint, jump, dive etc) the belt would shift entirely too much for my liking. This is most likely caused by my build. Plus I always had the feeling that my ass was hanging out.
I needed to adopt a load carriage system that fit what I needed. First I wanted something light. I am a huge believer in the “pack light, first to the fight” mentality. I like things light, I like things streamlined, I like things that do not get in my way when they are not in use. On top of these needs I wanted to be able to carry 3mags for my primary and then 2 mags for my secondary.
The Ten-Speed accomplishes all of these needs/requirements for me. One of the most amazing things about this rig, is that slick it only weighs 8.7oz. That is not a lot in my book.
Next is how streamlined this rig is. In past experiences when pouches do not have mags in them they tend to catch and snag things. The Ten-Speed, when there is no mag in the pouch, the pouch literally goes flat. There are no cords or flaps hanging out. The shoulder straps are wide, to distribute weight, but not puffy to screw with the shouldering of a rifle.
Each pouch on the Ten-Speed securely carries 1 M4 mag, 2 double stack handgun magazines, an Israeli bandage, cans of dip, and pretty much anything else you can think of that is of similar size. The pouches conform to whatever is placed in them to keep in locked in. On top of this there is a little notebook/map pouch on it. This is ideal for me because it will allow me to keep a note pad and pen in a much more easily accessible location.
Current Setup:
My current setup that I will be employing in upcoming training classes and shoot days consists of 1kydex M4 belt pouch (bladetech), 1 kydex handgun mag pouch located at my 9o’clock position. Then my holster at the 3o’clock. Then on the Ten-Speed I have 3 M4 mags stacked to my left, then 2 secondary mags. In the two extreme flank pouches I will probabley throw an Israeli bandage in, and then some dip/cans of beef jerkey chew.
My reasoning for doing this:
I am always faster reloading off a belt than I am off something mounted on my chest. That is what the single M4 and handgun mag on my belt are for. Those are my emergency reloads. I find it easier to get a solid beer can grip on mags when they are on my belt than when they are on my chest. When I am actively engaged in shooting paper bad guys and I go dry, I will reload of my belt. Now when I am not on the line, or whenever and I have the opportunity I will feed that belt mag pouch from the chest rig. So in theory I will be bumping mags from my right to my left.
What I have done so far:
This rig has only seen action in the tests I can put it through around my place. It real test will come in Feb and March.
The first thing I wanted to do was ensure that these pouches were secure and I would not have M4 mags bumbling all around me in the event I had to pull a tactical nike (run). I loaded up 5 pouches with 30rdPmags and then one pouch with 2 G17mags that are loaded. I did sprints, jumps, vaults, crawls, hand stand pushups, the entire body shake. I did a callisthenic workout , axe workout with this rig on. Nothing ever shook loose, nothing ever came out. At the end of the day, everything was right where it started. Snug and Secure.
Another test was comfort. IMHO if your gear does not fit you right, and you have some pain that it is causing you, you will be thinking about that little pinch in your shoulder blade rather than listening to an instructor, looking for badguys, or focusing on your sight picture. I loaded this up with 6 full 30rd mags and literally wore it for an entire day around the house, doing every normal day things. No discomfort, no soreness.
Adjustability
I like chest rigs mounted higher than most. I see a lot of guys have more “stomach rigs”. I prefer to have the top of the rig somewhere around the lower part of my pectorals. The Ten-Speed offers up a huge range of adjustability. I am a small dude coming in at 5’9” 160lbs. I can cinch this bitch down so it is nice and tight so that it will not be flopping around during Nike ops
Here is a picture of the chest rig by itself:
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab49/karonispj/Picture133.jpg
Here it is being worn:
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab49/karonispj/Picture134.jpg
If anyone has any other pics they want to see let me know and I will snap them up. Or if you want to know if a specific item will fit let me know.
Technical Information:
-Weighs 8.7oz
-Holds 6 M4 mags in a single layer across the front
-Has “H” Style harness with Velcro area on the back for patches
Initial impressions
Very well made. Simple design. Thin and light. Excellent workmanship and quality.
Reasoning for moving towards a chest rig and why I picked the Ten-Speed.
First was the fact that I felt like I was getting to bogged down with my typical belt set up. I was using an ATS Warbelt. On this setup I carried 2 M4 mags, 2 G17 mags, a dump pouch and my secondary weapon/holster. I found this set up was comfortable for just standing around but whenever I was required to move (sprint, jump, dive etc) the belt would shift entirely too much for my liking. This is most likely caused by my build. Plus I always had the feeling that my ass was hanging out.
I needed to adopt a load carriage system that fit what I needed. First I wanted something light. I am a huge believer in the “pack light, first to the fight” mentality. I like things light, I like things streamlined, I like things that do not get in my way when they are not in use. On top of these needs I wanted to be able to carry 3mags for my primary and then 2 mags for my secondary.
The Ten-Speed accomplishes all of these needs/requirements for me. One of the most amazing things about this rig, is that slick it only weighs 8.7oz. That is not a lot in my book.
Next is how streamlined this rig is. In past experiences when pouches do not have mags in them they tend to catch and snag things. The Ten-Speed, when there is no mag in the pouch, the pouch literally goes flat. There are no cords or flaps hanging out. The shoulder straps are wide, to distribute weight, but not puffy to screw with the shouldering of a rifle.
Each pouch on the Ten-Speed securely carries 1 M4 mag, 2 double stack handgun magazines, an Israeli bandage, cans of dip, and pretty much anything else you can think of that is of similar size. The pouches conform to whatever is placed in them to keep in locked in. On top of this there is a little notebook/map pouch on it. This is ideal for me because it will allow me to keep a note pad and pen in a much more easily accessible location.
Current Setup:
My current setup that I will be employing in upcoming training classes and shoot days consists of 1kydex M4 belt pouch (bladetech), 1 kydex handgun mag pouch located at my 9o’clock position. Then my holster at the 3o’clock. Then on the Ten-Speed I have 3 M4 mags stacked to my left, then 2 secondary mags. In the two extreme flank pouches I will probabley throw an Israeli bandage in, and then some dip/cans of beef jerkey chew.
My reasoning for doing this:
I am always faster reloading off a belt than I am off something mounted on my chest. That is what the single M4 and handgun mag on my belt are for. Those are my emergency reloads. I find it easier to get a solid beer can grip on mags when they are on my belt than when they are on my chest. When I am actively engaged in shooting paper bad guys and I go dry, I will reload of my belt. Now when I am not on the line, or whenever and I have the opportunity I will feed that belt mag pouch from the chest rig. So in theory I will be bumping mags from my right to my left.
What I have done so far:
This rig has only seen action in the tests I can put it through around my place. It real test will come in Feb and March.
The first thing I wanted to do was ensure that these pouches were secure and I would not have M4 mags bumbling all around me in the event I had to pull a tactical nike (run). I loaded up 5 pouches with 30rdPmags and then one pouch with 2 G17mags that are loaded. I did sprints, jumps, vaults, crawls, hand stand pushups, the entire body shake. I did a callisthenic workout , axe workout with this rig on. Nothing ever shook loose, nothing ever came out. At the end of the day, everything was right where it started. Snug and Secure.
Another test was comfort. IMHO if your gear does not fit you right, and you have some pain that it is causing you, you will be thinking about that little pinch in your shoulder blade rather than listening to an instructor, looking for badguys, or focusing on your sight picture. I loaded this up with 6 full 30rd mags and literally wore it for an entire day around the house, doing every normal day things. No discomfort, no soreness.
Adjustability
I like chest rigs mounted higher than most. I see a lot of guys have more “stomach rigs”. I prefer to have the top of the rig somewhere around the lower part of my pectorals. The Ten-Speed offers up a huge range of adjustability. I am a small dude coming in at 5’9” 160lbs. I can cinch this bitch down so it is nice and tight so that it will not be flopping around during Nike ops
Here is a picture of the chest rig by itself:
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab49/karonispj/Picture133.jpg
Here it is being worn:
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab49/karonispj/Picture134.jpg
If anyone has any other pics they want to see let me know and I will snap them up. Or if you want to know if a specific item will fit let me know.