How to carry ammo?

[Lafayettegregory]

I currently keep a chinese ammo bandoleer for my sks. And a couple of pouches for the ar and other old surplus magazine bags for the ak.

I was wondering if a vest of some type for each would be better? What I have now has been convenient for grabbing with the rifle and going to the door or an area of need.

 Now,  I know that in most cases of a threat around the home a loaded gun is about all that is needed.

So -- am I overthinking that I need a vest prepared for each SHTF rifle?

If so what vest is best. I like simple and all I am concerned with is to carry extra mags/stripper clips in the vest. Not interested in a full tactical/rambo vest.

[Onepoint]

I am apparently a gear whore, I have managed to collect up several types of vests and pouches etc.  My favorite is the chest rig, its not bulky, at least up high, easy to grab and go and its universal so it takes AK and AR mags, even FAL mags in single.  I also have a couple surplus brown USMC Molle vests that I have tailored to my specific use without all the extra pouches etc I don't use. Mostly mag double pouches, a dump pouch and a SAW pouch for snacks.   Both are not worse than putting on a jacket.

Not that its relevant to what you want, but I picked up a Brit arid DPM  "expedition" vest that is interesting, an interior pistol holster and double mag pouch, multiple large pouches externally, along with 2 double mag rifle mag pouches, it would be my go to vest if I had to be out and about for an extended period.  But its a bulky full on vest.

But for the grab it and go, I have made a bandoleer type thing using a triple double molly mag pouch, with a SAW pouch and a small multi pocket admin utility bag attached to the front, I used a snap hook rifle sling for strap.   Its loaded with mags with specific ammo in each pouch, and cleaning kit and oil in the utility bag.  Throw over the shoulder and you're out the door and its easy to get off quickly. The down side is its stability and balance, not real friendly to a lot of movement, any running etc you are going to use a hand to keep it in place.

[Lafayettegregory]

any pics or links? Thanks

[jdscholer]

any pics or links? Thanks

"Psssssttt!!  Wake up!! I think I heard somebody messing with the back door!"
"Oh, OK.  Here's my rifle.  Hand me my vest!  Crap, there's only a dozen or so strippers.!!  It's gonna have to do."  "At least I won't be totally naked."

You want pictures of that??    jd

[Hodgie]

The surplus Chinese type 63 chest rigs are a cheap excellent way to carry AR, AK, and SKS mags and ammo.


https://www.full30.com/video/32ba89e3af62aed1f157fcc6c878ce1a

[Brasky]

I purchased a Type 81 Chinese AK chest rig for my VZ2008 (holds 4 30 round mags and 2 "grenades"). I like it so much I purchased a second for my npap I just acquired. You can fit 2 20rd ammo boxes in each grenade pouch

[Onepoint]

I picked all of it off Ebay over time, mostly used surplus.

Chinese chest rigs are OK, but they can wear on you if loaded heavy just wearing Tshirts.  They are cheap though for sure.

This is the bandoleer next to the over loaded molle vest, I forgot I packed on extra pouches for the last time I went out prairie dogging on the ATVs, also had a camel back clipped on as well.  Its is not low key, by any stretch, on the other hand the other one I have I stripped down for my daughter to use airsofting for a weekend, a single double mag pouch, grenade pouch and saw pouch with dump bag and it was much more streamlined than this one when on.

I also have a couple of those nylon gun belts with the eyelets and a couple mag pouches, works basically the same as the  bandoleer, but can get in the way if you are carrying a pistol unless you have it on it.

[Hodgie]

OP I'd that entire rig a specific brand or just us mil surplus?

[Lafayettegregory]

That looks good One Point. Like Hodgie said? What do I search for on ebay?
After putting in "chest rig" I feel kinda silly - THERE ARE HUNDREDS

[Onepoint]

Its all surplus but, the bandoleer, the saw pouches, maybe one of the dump bags and the utility pouch.  When I was looking I ran across the USMC coyote browns ones, and that's what I wanted, so I searched for the molle vest in that color, but if you would rather have another color they are on there too.   

I was thinking I was so smart when I built the bandoleer thing, and then I saw someone was selling something similar for less than I cobbled mine together for.  I'll see if I can find them again.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/USED-VG-Coyote-Brown-FLC-Vest-USMC-Issue-Military-MOLLE-Tactical-Vest-/172264383761?hash=item281bc1e511:g:w1MAAMXQVT9S3Xd6

Mag pouches-  I have a couple blackhawk, but the Eagle ind. and other surplus ones are good if you can find them that are not worn out.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lot-of-2-USMC-Molle-Single-Double-Mag-Pouch-Coyote-Used-EC-/262519246631?hash=item3d1f5dcf27:g:Ez0AAOSwM4xXcFm3

My chest rig was an impulse buy. I think it was like 12 bucks at the time so I figured I was not out much, its Chinese I'm sure.    I figured since I am not living in it, if it starts to fall apart and I liked it I would get something better, but its held up pretty well, though I would not say I use it hard, just riding on the ATV and what ever barbwire gets too close and tries to bite me.

It was not a condor specifically, but it looks a lot like this one
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Condor-CR-7-Pocket-Chest-Rig-Color-Tan-/301993020431?hash=item46502fcc0f:g:qp4AAOSw7FRWWv-w

If I replace it would probably be with something like this one
 http://strikehardgear.com/ak-47-chest-rig/

[wolfgang2000]

Around the house I have a stock cuff on my AR and my SKS.  On my SKS I have Strike Hard excellent 3 clip pouch.   When I grab the rifle I have 40 rounds of ammo.

My AR has your typical single mag butt cuff.  I can't remember who made it but it works OK.  I just have to be aware of it when charging the rifle.

I still have my tactical vest from my SRT days.  (We had to buy our own.)  It's basically the same as the UTG ve4st that has the cheesy cross draw holster.  I got rid of the holster added 2 more ammo pouches and a Safariland leg holster.  That is what I wear if I'm getting away for the house, sometimes. 

I keep a ready can in the bedroom.  It has 200 rounds of 7.62x39 on stripper clips stored in E. German ammo pouches.  I also have 6 30 rd. AR mags in a over the shoulder mag pouch. 

When traveling I take my Weapon support bag.  I took a LA police gear bail out bag and put everything I felt I would need to keep my weapons hand and long, going if I got stuck somewhere.  That includes first aid gear.   My rifle case is a non descript case.  In the gun case I have a chest pouch very similar to the condor pouch Onepoint posted. 

I don't keep ammo in the support bag.  It's set up to handle any of the rifles we may carry.  The only difference is the ammo.  So when the trip comes up I take the ammo from the ready can to match the rifle.