Thoughts on a tactical vest

Mad Hatter · 04-13-2008, 09:58 AM

Think a tactical vest is a good investment for a shtf situation and do any of you have one ?

nathangdad · 04-13-2008, 10:23 AM

Anything you add to your clothing weight will detract from your speed of mobility which I feel will really be the key to survival in a truly bad case situation.

Also, people like me will be armed with rifles for which a tactical vest will be of little, if any, benefit as you will be hit with very heavy bullet travelling at very fast speed. After all, enough energy will put you down
with or without a vest.

SwedeSteve · 04-13-2008, 11:53 AM

I have a vest I use as a means to carry light equipment, not as protection.

jkrzos · 04-13-2008, 12:56 PM

Howdy,

I have a vest when the shtf. It's a woodland vest with 4 rifle mag carriers, 3 handgun mag carrier, compass pouch, crossdraw holster, belt with drop leg holster (right leg) and 3 rifle mag carrier(left leg). Has capabilities for a hydration unit. Matched up with my AR-15, 2-1911's, it will hold 140 rounds of 223 and 50 rounds of .45 ACP, and I'll be ready. Just being prepared, not paranoid!

John Krzos

Mad Hatter · 04-13-2008, 01:49 PM

I thought it would be good for carrying gear, I didn't plan on using it for protection from a bullet..

Nathangdad, you gonna shoot G & G members?

jkrzos · 04-13-2008, 03:46 PM

Howdy,

That's what mine is for. I do have a ex-large frag vest, too! My Tac Vest ca be loaded with other stuff if needed. It's a basic carry load for short firefight. Look up Ranger Rick Web Site for a survival vest. You can make something like that, cheap.

John Krzos

nathangdad · 04-13-2008, 06:53 PM

Glad to see you guys realize the limitations and extent of purposefullness
of this item.

Another point to consider - If you are moving about and I am within 100 yards of you aiming a traget/varmit rifle with a quality scope I can put the crosshairs over the femoral artery of your leg. So, you have another situation in which this item is of no value.

Cyrano · 04-13-2008, 09:18 PM

I have a tactical vest that I use strictly to better distribute the items in my bug-out bag. As my bag is set up primarily with a "get home" purpose, with on-foot E&E as a secondary purpose, one objective is to minimize the number of times I have to open the pack while en route. Ideally, I want to open it only when I'm about to pitch camp for the night. I look at it as a vest with lots of pockets and nothing else. It haz zero protective value.

cwpseattle · 04-13-2008, 09:59 PM

I have a 5.11 tactical vest black which works great for cc. Usually wear that in the summer. Has pockets for storage and extra mags. There are 5.11 fleece vests that are great as well with the Velcro insert to where you can conceal a holster and weapon. They sell these at most gun shops and on line. Just depends on your surroundings and where you live. Blending in is important.

stitchclimber · 04-13-2008, 10:24 PM

nathangdad, I think you might be missing the point here... this is about tactical load bearing equipment, not bullet proof vests, frag vests or anything of protective nature.

And to answer the original question. I don't currently own one, but I'm in the market for one. I think it would be extremely useful in a SHTF.

mitch_mckee · 04-13-2008, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Hatter

Think a tactical vest is a good investment for a shtf situation and do any of you have one ?

I have one but find it uncomfortable and I feel unbalanced. I prefer a web belt with suspenders.

cwpseattle · 04-13-2008, 11:58 PM

A good company to check with is Blackhawk they make some real good equip.

SwedeSteve · 04-14-2008, 12:27 AM

Nathangdad- If you're within a 100m of me, your dead! So I could be wearing an iron lung, LOL! READ the posts! Femoral Artery? Why would you aim there? Do you even know where the femoral artery is?

mitch_mckee · 04-14-2008, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwedeSteve

Nathangdad- If you're within a 100m of me, your dead! So I could be wearing an iron lung, LOL! READ the posts! Femoral Artery? Why would you aim there? Do you even know where the femoral artery is?

OK. The guy seemed a little abrasive but i don't think he deserves hostility. It seems to me he was talking more in a theoretical sense than anything else. However, I think he is correct.

I will say that hitting the upper leg at 100 yds is not that difficult. Even if he missed the femoral artery and only hit one in, say the knee, I think yer agoin' down buddy!

RMTactical · 04-14-2008, 03:34 AM

They wouldn't be very useful unless you were preparing for battle and really didnt care how you looked. It's not practical for most purposes, not even for most engagements I would say, at least for civilians.

For military and LE, well, that's another story.

sniper1958 · 04-14-2008, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RMTactical

They wouldn't be very useful unless you were preparing for battle and really didnt care how you looked. It's not practical for most purposes, not even for most engagements I would say, at least for civilians.

For military and LE, well, that's another story.

I agree it's not very tactical for civilians - it's not supposed to be (I think). I have mine in case of a SHTF scenario where I need to BO, or take a perimeter position. I hold 160 rounds for my SKS, 2 1911's (one on cross-draw, one in leg holster), 5-1911 magazines, compass, monocular, LED light and a few other little odds & ends. I don't find it to be unstable or unbalanced at all and I don't feel that my movement is hindered. I can sub the SKS ammo for my .30-06 if needed for longer range stuff.

If you work your loads well enough to get good groups, a femoral artery or knee shot is very possible and probably more practical than anything else (1 down takes +2 to carry). Personally, I get 1.2" groups at 300 yards with my .30-06.

This part of Colorado has a very high prison count with a very high prisoner population (Supermax, a bunch of Felony Resorts and the usual State & County lock-ups.). We have 30 State & private prisons and 5 Federal prisons (4 within 42 miles of my home!). Sure, we have a few escapes here and there. What worries me is if we get tagged with an EMP (small or large) because all of those electronically-controlled prison doors are now worthless!

SwedeSteve · 04-14-2008, 07:42 PM

I was not being hostile. Just direct! Why would the femoral artery be your shot? That's all I was asking? If a guy is wearing a tactical load bearing vest, why wouldn't I aim center of mass? That is the type of vest we were talking about wasn't it?

stitchclimber · 04-14-2008, 08:10 PM

I think Nathangdad was thinking of a bullet proof vest.

mitch_mckee · 04-14-2008, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwedeSteve

I was not being hostile. Just direct! Why would the femoral artery be your shot? That's all I was asking? If a guy is wearing a tactical load bearing vest, why wouldn't I aim center of mass? That is the type of vest we were talking about wasn't it?

There seems to be some confusion on that point. Some are thinking body armor, some load bearing.

I would aim center mass as well but a shot to the upper leg, for a stationary target, is not that hard at 100 yds.

Ferroflame · 04-14-2008, 08:46 PM

A tactical vest would be extremely useful for a SHTF scenerio.

Think about it...

Personally, I wouldn't want to carry all of my ammo around in a big bucket or in my pockets. Having it right there, ready to go, is what matters.

And I don't think we're talking about bullet-proof vests here...

Just a vest.

With pouches for ammo and other useful things.

=] I'd like to have a hatchet with me, too.... Lots of stuff you can do with a hatchet...

04-13-2008, 09:58 AM	#1
Mad Hatter Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 615	Thoughts on a tactical vest Think a tactical vest is a good investment for a shtf situation and do any of you have one ?

04-13-2008, 10:23 AM	#2
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,472	Tough question Anything you add to your clothing weight will detract from your speed of mobility which I feel will really be the key to survival in a truly bad case situation. Also, people like me will be armed with rifles for which a tactical vest will be of little, if any, benefit as you will be hit with very heavy bullet travelling at very fast speed. After all, enough energy will put you down with or without a vest.

04-13-2008, 11:53 AM	#3
SwedeSteve Thor's Hammer Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Alaska Posts: 10,372 Images: 1	I have a vest I use as a means to carry light equipment, not as protection. __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

04-13-2008, 12:56 PM	#4
jkrzos Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: MATTESON, ILLINOIS Posts: 46	Tac Vest Howdy, I have a vest when the shtf. It's a woodland vest with 4 rifle mag carriers, 3 handgun mag carrier, compass pouch, crossdraw holster, belt with drop leg holster (right leg) and 3 rifle mag carrier(left leg). Has capabilities for a hydration unit. Matched up with my AR-15, 2-1911's, it will hold 140 rounds of 223 and 50 rounds of .45 ACP, and I'll be ready. Just being prepared, not paranoid! John Krzos

04-13-2008, 03:46 PM	#6
jkrzos Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: MATTESON, ILLINOIS Posts: 46	Tac Vest Howdy, That's what mine is for. I do have a ex-large frag vest, too! My Tac Vest ca be loaded with other stuff if needed. It's a basic carry load for short firefight. Look up Ranger Rick Web Site for a survival vest. You can make something like that, cheap. John Krzos

04-13-2008, 01:49 PM	#5
Mad Hatter Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 615	I thought it would be good for carrying gear, I didn't plan on using it for protection from a bullet.. Nathangdad, you gonna shoot G & G members?

04-13-2008, 06:53 PM	#7
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,472	Glad you guys realize the limitations Glad to see you guys realize the limitations and extent of purposefullness of this item. Another point to consider - If you are moving about and I am within 100 yards of you aiming a traget/varmit rifle with a quality scope I can put the crosshairs over the femoral artery of your leg. So, you have another situation in which this item is of no value.

04-13-2008, 09:18 PM	#8
Cyrano Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: New York Posts: 2,356	I have a tactical vest that I use strictly to better distribute the items in my bug-out bag. As my bag is set up primarily with a "get home" purpose, with on-foot E&E as a secondary purpose, one objective is to minimize the number of times I have to open the pack while en route. Ideally, I want to open it only when I'm about to pitch camp for the night. I look at it as a vest with lots of pockets and nothing else. It haz zero protective value.

04-13-2008, 09:59 PM	#9
cwpseattle Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Seattle Posts: 14	I have a 5.11 tactical vest black which works great for cc. Usually wear that in the summer. Has pockets for storage and extra mags. There are 5.11 fleece vests that are great as well with the Velcro insert to where you can conceal a holster and weapon. They sell these at most gun shops and on line. Just depends on your surroundings and where you live. Blending in is important.

04-13-2008, 10:24 PM	#10
stitchclimber Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: The great northwest Posts: 945	nathangdad, I think you might be missing the point here... this is about tactical load bearing equipment, not bullet proof vests, frag vests or anything of protective nature. And to answer the original question. I don't currently own one, but I'm in the market for one. I think it would be extremely useful in a SHTF. __________________ turning up the radio, got just enough religion and a half tank of gas...

04-13-2008, 11:58 PM	#12
cwpseattle Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Seattle Posts: 14	A good company to check with is Blackhawk they make some real good equip.

04-14-2008, 12:27 AM	#13
SwedeSteve Thor's Hammer Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Alaska Posts: 10,372 Images: 1	Nathangdad- If you're within a 100m of me, your dead! So I could be wearing an iron lung, LOL! READ the posts! Femoral Artery? Why would you aim there? Do you even know where the femoral artery is? __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

04-14-2008, 03:34 AM	#15
RMTactical Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Rocky Mountains Posts: 173	They wouldn't be very useful unless you were preparing for battle and really didnt care how you looked. It's not practical for most purposes, not even for most engagements I would say, at least for civilians. For military and LE, well, that's another story. __________________ rockymountaintactical.net

04-14-2008, 07:42 PM	#17
SwedeSteve Thor's Hammer Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Alaska Posts: 10,372 Images: 1	I was not being hostile. Just direct! Why would the femoral artery be your shot? That's all I was asking? If a guy is wearing a tactical load bearing vest, why wouldn't I aim center of mass? That is the type of vest we were talking about wasn't it? __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

04-14-2008, 08:10 PM	#18
stitchclimber Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: The great northwest Posts: 945	I think Nathangdad was thinking of a bullet proof vest. __________________ turning up the radio, got just enough religion and a half tank of gas...

04-14-2008, 08:46 PM	#20
Ferroflame Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 384	A tactical vest would be extremely useful for a SHTF scenerio. Think about it... Personally, I wouldn't want to carry all of my ammo around in a big bucket or in my pockets. Having it right there, ready to go, is what matters. And I don't think we're talking about bullet-proof vests here... Just a vest. With pouches for ammo and other useful things. =] I'd like to have a hatchet with me, too.... Lots of stuff you can do with a hatchet...