for a chest rig over your smock , in the UK usually a Webtex model , but if you were properly “ into things ”, then an ARKTIS .
I was all set as I already had a classic ARKTIS rig that I ’ d bought from a Royal Marine , but in the years that followed the ante was upped as folk started appearing with rigs from the likes of BLACKHAWK ! And then more esoteric models like the original LBT models . Movies like “ Blackhawk Down ” showed DELTA wearing BLACKHAWK ! . 223 Chest Rigs over PT body armour and sent things in a new direction , and soon the stores were awash with the setups that would become “ Slicks ” with the load bearing element worn separately to the armour carrier .
But even then the chest rig was nothing new ! Many will rattle on about the Rhodesians being the “ daddy ” of the tactical chest the Delta where such equipment kept magazines and ammunition clearer of the muck …
PICKING A STYLE
Suffice to say that the chest rig has been around in one form or another for some considerable time , and the choice of styles and load carrying options are now considerable . In my mind though you can break it down into three distinct areas ;
“ Range Rigs ” Chest rigs are really having a comeback moment when it comes to “ training ”; in the real world a “ training rig ” harks back to that DELTA setup where you wear it over , and in addition to , a low volume body armour vest ( LVBAV ) as it ’ s easy to get on and off when you ’ re on the range . An example here would be the Haley DC3 family or the Direct Action Hurricane Hybrid . rig story , but in reality the “ rig ” has been somewhat of a staple throughout military history , often being worn by specialist units , or at the very least those that could be classed unconventional . If you look way back at pictures of pirates and Royal Navy Boarding Parties you ’ ll quite regularly see multiple black-powder one-shot pistols and numerous knives being carried across the chest , and of course the humble canvas / webbing rifle bandolier was also often worn “ crosswise ” to aid in accessing ammunition ! WWI and II gives us images of bandoliers being worn across the chest by both allied and axis troops ( the USMC even had the M1918 grenade vest !), and when you get into Vietnam an “ in country chest rig ” was fairly common practice , and it wasn ’ t just bandoliers that were used !
This was the heyday of the “ ChiCom ” rig for the Type 56 / AK47 rifle , and once folk cottoned on to how useful this bit of kit was certain units soon started using them too ! Not only the “ ChiCom ” was used , but also the rig for the SKS rifle as 20 round magazines for the M16A1 fitted this perfectly ! Soon certain units were fabricating their own “ home-grown ” rigs designed for the longer 30 round magazines , and the USN SEALs in particular were great fans of this style , often operating in the chest deep waters of
The “ Recon Rig ” The first style is one that I ’ m very fond of , and this will include the original “ ChiCom ”, in that the rig is designed to carry spare magazines and very little else . Often used in conjunction with a patrol pack “ the recon rig ” gives you immediate access to ammunition that could be restricted in a conventional belt position by the straps / belt of your pack . Although the “ ChiCom ” is the best example here more up-to-date designs are available from numerous manufacturers , and I have a couple of super split-front versions from US brands “ Head On Tactical ” and “ Whiskey Two Four ”.
“ Fighting Rigs ” Upping the load carrying aspect of the rig , the “ Fighting ” version takes its lead from the “ recon and training ” and then adds additional storage ; a great example of this is the original ARKTIS , the LBT 1961 , or coming up to date the Helikon-Tex Guardian and the Direct Action Thunderbolt . In this category I ’ ll also include the multitude of MOLLE platforms that can be configured to your liking .
LIGHT IS RIGHT !
If you prefer to run “ Light is Right ” then a chest rig of some description is going to fit the bill perfectly ; chest rigs are minimalist and lightweight , don ’ t overly restrict movement , and allow you to carry a good load of magazines . The Competition Multigun Rig platform from Helikon-Tex is one that I ’ ve been using a lot recently , one of the “ keystones ” of their new system and is made of hardwearing Cordura 500D and is compatible with magazine inserts dependant of your chosen primary platform ; there are two front utility pockets , two pistol mag pouches on the front and it ’ s MOLLE / PALS compatible . You also get a stable and adjustable H-Harness system , loops for hanging gloves and placing accessories , and the rear is part-lined with velour for comfort and moisture management . I ’ ve been wearing this rig for range sessions for a while now , and not only is it super-versatile between platforms , but also fits so snugly you almost forget you ’ re wearing it until you need to “ bomb up ”!
Going just a little heavier , the OneTigris Vulture still follows the “ Light is Right ” design concept , and is a minimalist model that ’ s just perfect for your regular range sessions or short skirmishes , and priced at around US $ 60 it ’ s not going to break the bank either ! Now you might think that for 60 bucks you would end up with something that ’ s not going to last , but this rig is a bit special . Currently available in 500D Cordura Nylon Multicam fabric ( I hope that they ’ ll do other plain colourways in due course ) the Vulture
KIT : CHEST RIGS pmcimagazine . com