Folks,
I've been working on a compilation of gear reviews to create a "Gear Guide". As such, I need some reviews of popular makes and models of equipment, preferrably by those who've used the equipment extensively and have enough background to judge one product over another.
In particular, I'm looking for the other gear heads to sound off here.
I'm covering current load carrying equipment systems (MOLLE systems or other modular designs) such as chest harnesses, sub loads, first line / second line / thrid line systems, pros and cons of chest harnesses versus plate carriers versus tactical vests versus releaseable armor, etc.
Anyone interested in participating in the project should let me know via PM. Again, I need REAL REVIEWS, not comentary by some noob who thinks their SAV vest, milforce holster or LBV-88 is the absofuckinglutely last word is high-speed MCLMM equipment.
It would be beneficial if you have real-world experience with combat loadouts as this guide is not intended specifically for airsoft use.
Batman? Matty? Eggroll? Farmboy? Yuxi? STAT? Other gearheads I don't know about....sound off folks, I need your input.
Free goodies for quality reviews. Here is an example of the kind of thing I'm looking for:
Quote:
Holsters come in several varieties. Concealable holsters, paddle holsters, belt holsters in low ride or high ride, at a ten-degree cant, or tactical “drop leg” style holsters. All of these models come with differing retention mechanisms; thumb break, hood, dual retention, triple retention, etc. All have their optimum use, and it is up to the wearer to determine what option is best for the circumstances. However, since we’re covering first line equipment, the assumption is that the holster is intended for field use. You should therefore consider a tactical holster (belt or thigh) that provides good retention and protection from dirt and debris.
I have personally used several makes of holster, notably from High Speed Gear Inc, So-Tech, Bianchi, Galco, and Safariland. Of these holsters, some were made from rigid nylon and others with molded Kydex. Although both have their pros and cons, and all the holsters I’ve used performed adequately with my Glock, my personal favorite is the Safariland 6004/6005 series. The 6004 is a rigid Kydex dual retention holster on a molded drop leg platform. The holster is purpose-built for the weapon used in it, therefore, if you switch frequently between handguns you’ll need a separate holster for each weapon you intend to field in it. Not a problem if you’re a Glock shooter, since the 17 and 22 and even the 18 (with minor modification) will all fit in the same build. If you alternate between Glock and Sig, or 1911 variants, you’ll need one for each firearm.
Although the 6004/6005 series of holsters are fantastic off the shelf, I’ve found a couple of simple modification that make the holster ride a little higher and increase the comfort. The mods are simple; remove the upper leg strap and shorten the draw length by cutting down the drop-leg webbing. Additionally, the 6004/6005 accepts Krylon paint readily, and my 6004 has been every shade in the book from the original Olive Drab to the recent Desert Tan. If operational requirements change, just hang it up and spray it whatever color you need.
Besides the Safariland 6004 and 6005 holsters, I should note that several of my colleagues have purchased the newer SpecOps Brand Vapor holster, and swear by its utility. The Vapor holster uses a tactical nylon platform with weapon-specific molded Kydex inserts. This is particularly useful if you have several handguns for differing conditions, as mentioned above. The 6004/6005 is an expensive piece of equipment, so buying one for each pistol can become cost-prohibitive.
In addition to your holster, you should consider a tactical lanyard. The lanyard is an extra measure of protection should your sidearm come loose. In the unlikely event that your sidearm pops out of a well-made holster or jumps out of your hand unexpectedly, a good tactical lanyard will ensure it doesn’t go far away.
A last note on holsters; for maximum effectiveness and a natural draw, your holster should be positioned on your thigh so that the butt of your pistol rests at the natural height of your lowered hand, or on your waist such that a natural raise of the hand catches the butt of the pistol on the way up. You should not have to bend at the trunk to draw your pistol, or raise your leg like an Anime character with Akimbo desert eagles. You should not have to reach across your body cowboy-style or behind your back like Mel Gibson in Lethal Weapon. The transition should be a natural movement, drilled to perfection through repetition and muscle memory. A good pistol is there for one purpose; to provide you with an alternative while you fight to cover and sort out your primary. If you can’t rely on your holster or your ability to draw from it, you can’t rely on your secondary. If you can’t rely on your secondary, you must rely entirely on your primary. We wouldn’t carry sidearms in the first place if we could rely on our primaries 100% of the time.
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