I've had many newbies PM me asking for some general directions towards gear selection before the 2013 Spring clinics being delivered in Borden, Kingston, and Petawawa. So here goes.... 
Have a gander this picture:
I'm rocking a 5.11 VTac MOLLE Vest that set me back $ 95.00. Suitable vests like Condor & VooDoo tactical can be found at OneShotTactical, Hamilton Tactical, Tactical Products Canada, Dave's Surplus/Tactical and other board sponsors.
I have selected Tactical Tailor pouches since they employ the MALICE clips to easy setup and threading through the MOLLE/ PALS loops. Buy what works for you and your game. I'm not pushing one brand over the other, I'm just trying to get some newbies started in this growing game where clinics and matches are sold out/booked before March Break of the current year.
Other brands can and will work for you. Try as many as you can.
You will see a Dump Pouch on my weak / left side, it's handy for picking up brass , magazines, steel casings, or garbage during our cleanup sweep. It's wonderful for tucking away empty mags when you got a moment between the Snap and Rapid fire matches.
I'm rocking the helmet only because it happens to be my snowboard/ski/mtn bike helmet also. I don't wear it during the matches, my head is fat enough.
I'm using a 12.5" NEA carbine with the quad rail, this rail allows me to add all kinds of doodads to look Tacticool like some Magpul Koolaid so that my #### don't fall off!
You will see a Magpul MS3 sling that I use for a Magpul ASAP plate by the buffer tube (not in this picture) since I did not have time to add that ASAP Plate yet...
I'm using a Glock 17 because it works for me. USE what works for YOU. Retention holsters are the only way to go so that you won't drop yer pistol during the Advance and Fire stages of this match (or down the shztter / outhouse). I've had success with Safariland and Serpa, others had success with GCode, BladeTech, and other brands. Some of the velcro'ed thumb snap holsters kinda tangle up your reholster process after having the pistol 'cleared'. They work for some people. Give it a try and get in the game.
This picture is my weak or left side of my vest.
I have the magazines placed for easy access. I deliberately turned the center pair of magazines to show that your magazine reach/grab/presentation must allow the "bullets forward" as we instruct in our clinics. Arrange them for what works for YOU and not the "Call of Duty- Modern Warfare" Game.
Notice that I've got MY 2 pistol magazines up by my face or upper chest for my rapid magazine changes that are practiced in my basement. I don't want to alarm the neighbors. ha ha ha ha Again, place them where you are smoothest (and then smooth becomes FAST) for you to work.
This next picture is my strong or right hand side of my vest....
I have my Safariland 6378 holster attached with a Safariland MLS / QLS system so that I can attach and detach and re-attach the pistol everytime I use the outhouse or enter a building or my vehicle (drive to Tim Hortons, heh heh). While we are talking about Tim Horton's... ask Timk about that issue, he'll tell ya a cute story about Tim Horton's and my Glock!
I also have a spare pouch to hold the fifth magazine of 4 rounds needed for one of the matches. And nope, Timk does not allow spare magazines. You are given a match loadout and you are required to stick within those parameters. His match, his rules. That simple....
So, you need 5 x 5/30 or 5/20 magazines and then 2 pistol magazines for these matches!
Now, here's the cheaper approach regarding the vests. Search for "FLC Vest" on Ebay. That FLC stands for Fighting Load Carrier. They are made in different camouflage patterns but the cheapest by far is the 3 color DCU being phased out by the US Military. One can find them in the BNIB (brand new in bag) for under $10 and with another $9 for mailing First Class postage, you can have a MOLLE vest for under $20 delivered to you in Canada.
You don't have to spend a whack of money to play this game, and you don't always have to use your Gilmore Ghost holster (many jokes to be had at my clinic later, just ask me) since their level of sophistication is fantastic, more like TOO fantastic for our simple game.
A Blast from the Past...
Here I'm wearing my holster just south of the 5.11 VTac MOLLE vest. I discovered that it gets in the way when I'm in the pooper/shztter/outhouse. I convenienlty evolved my carrying position (because we can) until I settled on the right side of center line zipper on my vest. It's gotta work for you. I will be teaching all of you this idea (evolve your gear) at my/our clinics when I see you. Adds lots of fun to the game and that's the secret to building community!
November 2012 Winter CQB Match:
Notice that a vest setup has to work over all kinds of clothing. Ensure that yer vest works well and looks good too. It's a shame I cannot do much about my goofy looks. Even my wife agrees with me. I'm using a camcorder strap on my Armatite 16" middy with ACOG TA31F Chevron optic.
Cheers and bring on the discussion / questions. I'm here to help you out!
Barney
Have a gander this picture:
I'm rocking a 5.11 VTac MOLLE Vest that set me back $ 95.00. Suitable vests like Condor & VooDoo tactical can be found at OneShotTactical, Hamilton Tactical, Tactical Products Canada, Dave's Surplus/Tactical and other board sponsors.
I have selected Tactical Tailor pouches since they employ the MALICE clips to easy setup and threading through the MOLLE/ PALS loops. Buy what works for you and your game. I'm not pushing one brand over the other, I'm just trying to get some newbies started in this growing game where clinics and matches are sold out/booked before March Break of the current year.
Other brands can and will work for you. Try as many as you can.
You will see a Dump Pouch on my weak / left side, it's handy for picking up brass , magazines, steel casings, or garbage during our cleanup sweep. It's wonderful for tucking away empty mags when you got a moment between the Snap and Rapid fire matches.
I'm rocking the helmet only because it happens to be my snowboard/ski/mtn bike helmet also. I don't wear it during the matches, my head is fat enough.
I'm using a 12.5" NEA carbine with the quad rail, this rail allows me to add all kinds of doodads to look Tacticool like some Magpul Koolaid so that my #### don't fall off!
You will see a Magpul MS3 sling that I use for a Magpul ASAP plate by the buffer tube (not in this picture) since I did not have time to add that ASAP Plate yet...
I'm using a Glock 17 because it works for me. USE what works for YOU. Retention holsters are the only way to go so that you won't drop yer pistol during the Advance and Fire stages of this match (or down the shztter / outhouse). I've had success with Safariland and Serpa, others had success with GCode, BladeTech, and other brands. Some of the velcro'ed thumb snap holsters kinda tangle up your reholster process after having the pistol 'cleared'. They work for some people. Give it a try and get in the game.
This picture is my weak or left side of my vest.
I have the magazines placed for easy access. I deliberately turned the center pair of magazines to show that your magazine reach/grab/presentation must allow the "bullets forward" as we instruct in our clinics. Arrange them for what works for YOU and not the "Call of Duty- Modern Warfare" Game.
Notice that I've got MY 2 pistol magazines up by my face or upper chest for my rapid magazine changes that are practiced in my basement. I don't want to alarm the neighbors. ha ha ha ha Again, place them where you are smoothest (and then smooth becomes FAST) for you to work.
This next picture is my strong or right hand side of my vest....
I have my Safariland 6378 holster attached with a Safariland MLS / QLS system so that I can attach and detach and re-attach the pistol everytime I use the outhouse or enter a building or my vehicle (drive to Tim Hortons, heh heh). While we are talking about Tim Horton's... ask Timk about that issue, he'll tell ya a cute story about Tim Horton's and my Glock!
I also have a spare pouch to hold the fifth magazine of 4 rounds needed for one of the matches. And nope, Timk does not allow spare magazines. You are given a match loadout and you are required to stick within those parameters. His match, his rules. That simple....
So, you need 5 x 5/30 or 5/20 magazines and then 2 pistol magazines for these matches!
Now, here's the cheaper approach regarding the vests. Search for "FLC Vest" on Ebay. That FLC stands for Fighting Load Carrier. They are made in different camouflage patterns but the cheapest by far is the 3 color DCU being phased out by the US Military. One can find them in the BNIB (brand new in bag) for under $10 and with another $9 for mailing First Class postage, you can have a MOLLE vest for under $20 delivered to you in Canada.
You don't have to spend a whack of money to play this game, and you don't always have to use your Gilmore Ghost holster (many jokes to be had at my clinic later, just ask me) since their level of sophistication is fantastic, more like TOO fantastic for our simple game.
A Blast from the Past...
Here I'm wearing my holster just south of the 5.11 VTac MOLLE vest. I discovered that it gets in the way when I'm in the pooper/shztter/outhouse. I convenienlty evolved my carrying position (because we can) until I settled on the right side of center line zipper on my vest. It's gotta work for you. I will be teaching all of you this idea (evolve your gear) at my/our clinics when I see you. Adds lots of fun to the game and that's the secret to building community!
November 2012 Winter CQB Match:
Notice that a vest setup has to work over all kinds of clothing. Ensure that yer vest works well and looks good too. It's a shame I cannot do much about my goofy looks. Even my wife agrees with me. I'm using a camcorder strap on my Armatite 16" middy with ACOG TA31F Chevron optic.
Cheers and bring on the discussion / questions. I'm here to help you out!
Barney
Last edited:
my wife is certain I have lost my mind....and she is probably right
