Pouches for RRV Predicament

[Archangel 06]

Alright, so my shiny new Pantac RRV in CB just showed up today. That said, I need to buy some pouches to stick on this thing. Let me start this off by saying that I want to keep the rest of this project <$325. I already have a radio pouch, so that's out of the way.

I have an M14, which makes mag pouches a little more tricky. I've pretty much decided on a pair of these Pantac M14 pouches, but at $20 a pop, I'm kinda second guessing that. One other note, I have NO midcaps - that is part of this project. From Redwolf, I can get 10 mids for $50, so that's not TOO big of a deal. Just not sure that I need that many.

Intended loadout is for a CCT look, with the ability to be re-purposed to a rapid communications emergency rig. That said, I know that I need lots of storage, and WATER. I really don't want to bother with canteens, so a Hydration Bladder seems to be the best bet. I'm debating on whether to get a back panel for the RRV, plus a hydration carrier (~$120) and some extra utility pouches or to get a Hydration backpack (~$108).

Next, I know I want a dump pouch. Original plan was to have one on my left side, attached right to the vest, but if I want a utility pouch such as this then I need to run with a regular dump pouch mounted to the lower row of MOLLE. Also, I still don't have good eyepro and a drop holster (which I will cut from the initial purchase if necessary).

From what I've described, how do you think I should go about this? Really don't want to have to be re-buying things because I find out later that something didn't fit right, or just wasn't working quite right, etc. so I'm coming to you.

Ninja edit: Also, what to do with the bib? An admin pouch? More various small-trinket pouches? I've noticed there's a LARGE amount of semi-flat storage available from a velcro pouch in the main body of the vest.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Snowman]

For the back, I'd get the back panel and then a Flyye MAP and put a Camelbak bladder in it. I'd recommend looking at Flyye, because they make the same stuff, same quality, for just a bit cheaper. Ehobby has all you need, such as the same exact pouches for $16 instead of $20.

Get an all-right-angle admin pouch for the bib, like this. Also, save yourself $6 and get this same exact utility pouch from Flyye.

If you want a bit of a CCT look, get a medic pouch, which you can use for random stuff.

Look at Bitter End steel goggles for eyepro, or Oakley 2.0 M-Frames if you want a more milsim look.

[Jewish Ninja]

I haven't seen a CCT use an M14, but that being said, look into HSGI universal pouches. They can hold M14 mags along with anything else you might get.

[Jewish Ninja]

I have my TT dumper mounted on the bottom right of my FAPC and haven't had an issue, but its all down to personal preference/what works best for your arms.

[ogrejager]

You can't own too many midcaps.

[Archangel 06]

Hey guys, thank you very much for the information. Thankfully, this whole project just got a whole lot cheaper because my buddy is selling me his G&P M4 for $100 w/6 mids. That means that I will both be able to stick with standard gear, and not have to buy mags! WOOHOO!

Again, thank you for the info, and I most likely will be buying my gear from Ehobby.

[Darius137]

Here's my opinion, which is a lot of personal preference, so you can take it or leave it, and I'm not trying to say it's the best or only way to do your loadout.

Also I'll be assuming you're using ehobby as your only source to buy from, so I'm picking from their selection.

1) SOF guys usually have a lot of play in what weapon system they'd like to use. I'm sure if a CCT was dead set on using an M14, he'd be using an M14. But usually they're attached to other groups, and with the weight of the batteries and the importance of their primary job in commo, they're usually carrying the smallest weapon possible. A shorty M4 would probably do good enough.

2) Why'd you get CB!? Get OD, and rejoin your PLA/CAG brethren.

3) I like the idea of the HSGI TACO pouches but they're very bulky and I don't trust how loose they are. I'd probably get a loadout for either an M14 or M4, but not make it easily switched.

4) The mag pouches you linked to are shit. I don't like the thick flap on them, and would either get shingles or closed top pouches, which are a lot lighter than that large chunk-flap of cordura hanging over top. I'd suggest something like this:

M14 Loadout:

I'd get a row of the .308 pouches in CB from Tactical Tailor + an MBITR/HAM/Large Radio Pouch on your non firing side. TT's mag pouches are some of the best I've ever used, and they are a lot lighter than the ham fisted 1000d Cordura ones. I like the two mag pouches, because you can put the flap between the two mags, and you have basically a two mag pouch with the front mag being a ready mag, or if you're in transit on a bird or you're rolling in the dirt, you can completely close them up for safer transport and less dirt in your ammo. They are also large enough for other items in case you have to adapt (other radios, batteries, medium sized items).

Then put your radio pouch on your non firing side so you can snake your antennae up through the shoulder or along the side and up the back.

I would get the back plate just for the plate storage as CCT and most soldiers wear front and back plates minimum (I'd even suggest side plates). I would put one of two things on the back. Either get a large dump pouch on top and a side-sitting camelbak (Israeli / MOUT style) or I'd get a single Camelbak bladder holder. I recommend against the built in backpack, because it's very hard to get into if you're using it, and it's a lot better to have a light assault pack that you can throw on and off to mess with manpack radio settings or get to items you need if you're alone.

5) RRVs were meant for recon or for a very empty back to throw an assault pack or ruck on, depending on mission, with at least one hard water source on the left or right. I'd put a canteen/nalgene on one side, and an IFAK on the other. At the recon school I went to a year ago, the Ranger guys were using them with canteens on the sides and no back plate, preferring to store a large ruck on their back and not crush anything they put there.

6) Since it looks like you're going M4 anyways, I'd go with this:
M4 Loadout:

I'd get a complete row of single shingles on the RRV, then have a few pouches on the front of that. I would put two of these on the front: http://shop.ehobbyasia.com/combat-gears ... -drab.html

OR, instead of using shingles, which I am personally not a fan of, I'd get a slimmer profile and have the radio on the non firing side and fill the rest of the front up with 4 or so 2-mag pouches. These are the perfect size for smoke or two mags. And like the other mags, putting the flap between the two mags makes them snug and the front mag becomes a shingle. Also they're thin profile (3 mag pouches are too much) and they're very light so the pouch whoring won't weigh you down: http://shop.ehobbyasia.com/combat-gears ... er-fe.html

I'd put the radio still on the non-firing side, then get a few flat utility pouches in the front: http://shop.ehobbyasia.com/combat-gears ... pouch.html

7) I like keeping the bib down and riding the RRV up almost like a chest harness and keeping it very high. Putting the weight on the lower half of your ribs instead of on the soft gut really helps with running with a full combat load and the tendency of gear to knock the wind out of you slowly as it pushes down on your diaphram and gut meat.

BUT I do like the use of the admin pouch and I'd suggest getting something like this: http://shop.ehobbyasia.com/combat-gears ... panel.html or http://shop.ehobbyasia.com/combat-gears ... -drab.html for a place to store papers, ID, pens, SOIs, compass etc. I really like my Condor Admin pouch which is a pretty close replica of the TAG one.

That long pouch you posted might be alright on the side, but long pouches annoy me and I've never had luck with them being practical.

9) And of course,
Dump Pouch:

I really *hate* the rolly polly dump pouches. In a real situation you might be dropping random gear into your dump pouch and using it for more than just 100% empty mags (A tactical reload of a half full mag) makes a rolly polly flop around and they are noisy and cumbersome, whacking you every step when you're running. I like dropleg dump pouches and I'd suggest this one, which is pricy, but these things are worth their weight in gold: http://shop.ehobbyasia.com/combat-gears ... pouch.html

[Jerm_G]

I fully agree with Darius on the mag pouches. I use open top pouches on all of my gear. Im not sure if they still make them or not or even for the M-14 but my pouches are from DiamondBack Tactical. They are shingle open top style pouches that only cover about half the magazine and have a soft grip fabric lining on the in side. Just friggin awesome gear.

As for dump pouches, I have rarely found my self in a position where I dont have time to retain my magazines back in a pouch and conduct proper magazine management. The times that I have found my self in a position where I dont have time, I could care less where the empty mag ends up (generally somewhere to my left on the ground) and more worried about just getting the gun up. But if you do feel that you need one I run the maxpidition fold ups and in the past the Blackhawlk drop leg. Both solid gear.

[ogrejager]

IAs for dump pouches, I have rarely found my self in a position where I dont have time to retain my magazines back in a pouch and conduct proper magazine management. The times that I have found my self in a position where I dont have time, I could care less where the empty mag ends up (generally somewhere to my left on the ground) and more worried about just getting the gun up.

QFT

Usually, about once an airsoft game I leave mags behind. But those times I'm BUSY.

[Jewish Ninja]

Dan, TACOs aren't any more bulky than other pouches that are similar to it (Eagle FB M4 pouches, ICE open tops, FAST mags etc) and their flexibility in what they can be used with is amazing. I haven't had a single issue with retention with my TACOs.