Originally Posted by
turnburglar
.........
Stop holes - buying plates is an extensive rabbit hole that I dont want to get into here.
For actually buying a plate carrier check out WTFidea.com They are American made and at a killer price. Their carrier is low profile and will solve all your needs right out of the box.
For the OP
Plates - go and get a set of Hesco 3810's, be happy, move on with your life. Seriously.
If a whopping 2 front/back plates weigh 15-20 pounds before you add a single mag...you're doing it wrong.
Also, if the plates won't stop 855, buy something else.
WTF makes some interesting stuff, but IMHO, I'd go with the Ferro Concepts Slickster first. Having had a few of both FC and WTF products, I think FC is slightly better, and also, for your first foray into gear, if you hate it, the FC will re-sale way better.
I have a current-gen Slickster with the lasercut Molle rear bag so that it covers the rear cummerbund velcro (because leaving it exposed is a dumb design choice). I'm also not in love with elastic cummerbunds, but you can (sort of) change it later, if you need something else.
Then just pick whatever 3-mag SWIFT-clip shingle you like for the front and stick it on there.
Originally Posted by
MegademiC
............
Dont worry about what you look like, focus should be identifying what capability you want, getting the appropriate gear, and training to achieve those capabilities.
Exactly - that's the hard part: identifying your mission needs, especially stateside where, as a civ, nobody really has a specific known set of mission requirements.
Once that's done, it gets easier to pare down your gear needs, especially as you expand your training and knowledge base, BUT, you're still going to probably end up going through a couple iterations of the "perfect" setup to get it right, so... if you end up spending more money that you expect, that's par for the course.
Originally Posted by
Olympus
.......... My first want is some kind of belt setup. Something in between a full blown "war belt" and just a basic belt and holster setup. I want to be able to use it for typical range sessions, but also be something that I could incorporate into a SHTF loadout as well. .......... But please remember, I'm looking for a minimalist civilian type setup here. I don't want to go overboard.
Then the second thing I'd like is a plate carrier and anything extra I need to go with that also. ...........
Per bolded, I think you might have difficulty doing an all-in-one as it is unclear what you consider a typical range session, and what you mean by "incorporate into SHTF loadout", combined with what your EDC (if any) already is.
I'm guessing your best bet might be to start with something like the 2-piece velcro options, like the LAB/Esstac/Blue Alpha or other similar types already mentioned. That way you can set up your EDC/CCW as you need it, and then a full range/Oh Crap, Hooligans! belt to keep in your bag and then yank the EDC off and stick the Oh Crap Belt on as needed.
Per PC, it all depends on how low-pro you need to be, or how much stuff it needs to carry if overt. Your loadout for that may also depend on if you are wearing a pack with it, and what/how much you put on your belt.
One word of advice on PCs - don't try to overload a PC designed as a lo-pro/lightweight. You'll end up spending a lot of money to make it do what a more full-featured carrier can do, and it will hurt to wear...
It was the same with Crye JPCs a few years back - people trying to turn them into a poor man's AVS, then predictably came the complaints about comfort. Well,duh...
At the same time, add what you need to add - don't feel like "oh noes, I put more than 2 mags, I'm not civilian enough anymore" or whatev, sometimes you gotta ignore the meta and the haters and do what you need, even if it feels a little bit overboard.
"Once we get some iron in our souls, we'll get some iron in our hands..."
"...A rapid, aggressive response will let you get away with some pretty audacious things if you are willing to be mean, fast, and naked."-Failure2Stop
"The Right can meme; the Left can organize. I guess now we know which one is important." - Random internet comment
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