Tactical Vest Options
 

hi there, I am lookin around at all the avalible vests, and I would like to have some well informed input. I am lookin for a vest that will fit my frame (6'2, 210Lbs or 183Cm , 95Kg), and still be light weight, I do not carry a large rifle, so that will not be a factor, only pistol mag cap and SMG cam cap. now considering how 2/3's of the vests i have found will only fit a 5'9 person maximum, I would like to ask the ASC community's advise on which one's would best suit my style and body frame.

(note: I am not askin to buy one from any member of ASC so please do not contact me about selling them in any way, shape, or form.)

While I don't know of a vest specifically for your size, you can try Tiger Tactical for a custom vest.

Most vests are adjustable, and there are people over 5'9 who wear them.

You can also look at a set of webbing (belt and suspenders), height shouldn't be too much of a problem there.

if you could name a few that would be great, mainly becaus i only know of redwolf's stock, and really dont like the SWAT style that is mainly avalible from canadain retailers

Consider a chest rig?

Well, there's your problem. Those are made for Chinese people, and there's not too many of them pushing 6'2.

You need a tac vest that fits SMG and pistol mags? There aren't many that do SMG mags. You'll probably have to go modular.

Check out One Shot (www.oneshottactical.com) for platforms and pouches.

a proper vest depends on many factors
pistol type
SMg type
number of pistol and SMG mags
indoor or outdoor(swat stuff, or US marine stuff)
ability to move things around?
need a holster on the vest?
color preferance
hydration pack needed(or needed in future)
budget


if your indoors with very few mags, grab a BHI crossdraw vest. Dont go for a replica, they suck nads. has a pistol holster on it and 3 M4 pouches(you can fit MP5 mags in also), and has several pistol mag pouches.

outdoors, ASCA sells the CIRAS, excellent gear.

with the thousands of choices out there, you need to be specific in what you need, the items you use and how your going to use them. Most airsoft websites sell cheap asian knock-offs that dont do great for bigger people and generally much poorer quality. Spend the extra green and get real stuff from the manurfacturers...they usually stand up the punnishment better, feel better, work better and can resell for good prices.

since its obvious that more information will be needed,
The Pistol is a TM 1911 Gas Model.
The SMG is a TM MP7A1, but i already have a leg holster.
2 M1911 mags.
4 190rnd MP7A1 mags.
Outdoor play mainly in wooded/sandy areas (Beaches and Woodlands).
Pistol Holster on the vest would be beneficial.
Arid CADPAT's are my camo's, something close to that or even in khaki.
No need for hydration pack
Budget $30 - $600

If you do decide to go for a Tiger Tactical vest, make sure you ask for the military use version as their airsoft variants are only single layer Cordura and are shite.

i have a tiger tactical vest, the military use one and i love it... thing can take any punishment i throw at it.

not much from that. its basically 2 sidearms and no primary. not really reason for much gear,

I assume you someday plan on getting a rifle, so plan ahead. Get something with will take rifle mags also. Like ASCAs phantom CIRAS modular vests. They look great and work awsome. Maby not for what you have, but you dont have much. But when you do get a primary rifle, you will atleats have the vest for one. With the CIRAS, just get a molle holster for your 1911.

If you're looking for something light weight and low profile, you can also look into getting some sort of a modular belt. I recently upgraded to a Blackwater I-O Load-Bearing Belt... Got it over at Dave's Army Surplus. The construction really impressed me, its also contoured so it sits around your waist comfortably - a lot better than the regular modular belts that are just flat.

I prefer the belt, as vests dont really work for me all that well, and since i tend to sweat more on a hot day, extra layer of cordura doesnt help - plus there is really no need to carry so much gear around that just adds to bulk and gets in the way. The belt has enough room to carry all the pouches i ever need with room to spare. It works very well with some sort of a hydration pack for long games, since you dont have to worry about how to put it on with a vest.

If you need a holster, you can either get a MOLLE holster that attaches to the belt itslef (TAG makes one, or at least they did, One Shot Tactical had it on their site a while back - maybe PM Farmboy on these forums, he's the guy that runs OST), or some sort of a shoulder harness would work nicely too for this setup (HSGI makes a real nifty one with MOLLE pannels which you can also use for other stuff). This also works by itself as well, as one of the molle panels can hold some mag pouches for your primary. There is a review of this rig on the Military Morons site, under 1st line gear.

Blackwater also makes a Low Profile Rack, which you can get from Daves for just over $100. This holds 4x armalite mags, but it can also hold 2 MP5 mags in each pocket, not sure how big the 190rnd MP7 mags are compared to these. The mag pouch also looks like it can double as a pistol holster. MOLLE on the outside for additional pouches like pistol mag pouches.


If you're looking for simple and light weight, you would probably want to for something modular. Just add the pouches you need and thats it.

http://www.entrygear.com/product.asp?id=30VT26ALL
try this one

Check out www.204tactical.com his stuff is high quality and cheap, you're bound to find something that suits your needs. He also sells many different kinds of molle pouches, so if you upgrade to a primary rifle you can switch the pouches out to suit your needs.

i think that one of the main problems that i am facing is that the MP7A1 190rnd mag is an odd shape, i have no clue as to if it will fit in the MP5 Mag's, or if it will fall out of an armalite mag carrier, i will post my results after i e-mail a few retailers asking.