Modular or Non-Modular Rig

[whitebear620]

Hey guys,
Been lurking around here for a couple of months and finally decided to stick my head out to say hi. Just curious on what the various views on modular (i.e. MOLLE or other) vs non-modular (i.e. sewn on) rigs.
I'm looking for a new a chest rig and can't decide whether to get some UW pouches for my MOLLE rig that is in the style of the Swampfox or if I should just get a an actual Swampfox rig.
Bonuses of MOLLE rig:
-Probably cheaper to just upgrade pouches to UW gear
-Does have map/admin pouch on rear of rig
Bonuses of Swampfox rig
-Better construction
-H harness, I'd have to sew or order on for my MOLLE rig as I hate the heavy padding harness on my MOLLE rig so I'm taking it off
-Probably lighter overall

What do you guys think?

[panzer0170]

Swampfox IS modular. I am a big fan of gear, be it UW or otherwise, that sits in the middle ground.

Sewn on gear is, for the most part, MUCH better than a modular rig set up the same way.

MOLLE is good for people who are going to change up what they are doing semi-regularly, as well as replacement of nackered bits (excellent for soldiers - all of a sudden you're a GPMG gunner? Take of those AR pouches and add a box pouch....)

Something that's for the most part sewn, with 1-2 things modular is ideal. Mag pouches are mag pouches. If you're after the tuck tab design anyway, much better to have them sewn on. Medical, Admin, Pistol gear etc changes as you evolve your way of thinking, or where you carry, or what gear you carry. Modular function for those areas is good.

For me, I'd go swampfox, if you're going to set up what is essentially a swampfox in the first place...

[Patriotic Sheepdog]

I am biased, but lets just say I have at least 6 UW gear products (AR and AK Minuteman & Swampfox, Bandoleer, pistol mag pouch prototype, GP/IFAK pouch), and won't trade or sell them. They work for me, what works for you may be different. I know I went thru 2 other set ups before the UW Gear stuff I have.

[panzer0170]

I am not sold on chest rigs, but I'd have a (DO have a) Minuteman 6 in Multicam. Superb bit of kit, weighs nothing, strong enough for 'proper' soldiering too. Good times.

[whitebear620]

Understood guys. I guess it's just my inner cheapskate coming. There's a part of me that wants the modular so that just in case of ever do get a rifle that doesn't use AR magazines, I'll be able to switch out the pouches, but the realist part in me says that isn't gonna happen for a long time if ever.

[panzer0170]

Depends on how rough you're going to be; The rougher you are, and the more settled with your gear you are? The more likely you are to use sewn gear.

[Dave R]

I own a minuteman mk3 which had an admin pouch and I love it. Built like a damn tank. I also like having other systems so I have a PC. Both will be used in different applications/scenarios..

So lets say you order a swamp fox and it just isn't for you. You can resell it in the market place section. They rarely last long in there.

[panzer0170]

I wish mine had an admin/dump pouch, but I get why it wouldn't work with the setup I have. Sewn gear is for champions! Dave makes an excellent point about the marketplace area; See some other stuff sit around in there a while, but never a rig.

[UnforseenWeather]

Oct 16, 2015 8:45:06 GMT -5 whitebear620 said:

Understood guys. I guess it's just my inner cheapskate coming. There's a part of me that wants the modular so that just in case of ever do get a rifle that doesn't use AR magazines, I'll be able to switch out the pouches, but the realist part in me says that isn't gonna happen for a long time if ever.

Think about it like this: Just like those of us with concealed weapons permits were told by the "old timers" that we'd end up with a drawer full of holsters just like they did, there may be some buying and selling of your chest rigs as you use them and figure out what's right for you and what isn't. And unfortunately, just like those holsters, there isn't one perfect choice. Your build type is different from mine, etc.

The good news is you can make back a very decent percentage of your investment if you find something you don't care for in a rig and decide to sell it. Also, I've also been known to test a theory out with a cheapo Chinese knockoff or two for a fraction of the cost, before committing to a more expensive domestically produced piece of gear. Hint: If you go this route, buying used Chinese stuff saves you even more.

You aren't married to your gear and frankly I can see my own gear being updated and evolving as Hawkeye brings new ideas to light. It is what it is. The tougher part for me was choosing what defensive gun systems to get with... The gear just has to be simple, work well and not get in my way when I wear it.

I like a modular, non-modular rig, myself. That is, dedicated mag pouches that won't go anywhere, but with additional MOLLE to put my other gear on. But that's just me, everyone's different.

[whitebear620]

I've gone through a few iterations of chest rigs, had the FLC MOLLE stuff in the Guard, loaded up a split front MOLLE with 8-12 mags, and now have the SOE Micro Rig (which is for sale now).
I've become more realistic of my needs in a rig over time, I'd love to carry 12 mags on a rig and a bunch of other stuff, but I know that more than one mag thick is too much on my chest and it gets in the way of me shooting, especially when prone. But I also like clipping my rig on rather than pulling it on over me, also nice for some heat dispersion (Florida is hot guys).
So this is why I've come to the swamp fox, but I think do want an admin pouch on the backside of the rig, and I'm trying to make every penny count.

[panzer0170]

I'd say it depends; Given your local 'gated community' residence, will you ever go prone? I don't know. But I know a bunch of blokes that only go prone if they ever take EFFECTIVE incoming (and haven't actually been hit, yet.) How you use the kit has a massive effect. Hawkeye places and emphasis on rural operations when he fronts his 1 mag deep gear. 2 mags deep is preferable for high intensity urban, IMO. That's what I want, for ME. As various folk have said; gear depends on you!

[whitebear620]

Point taken Panzer.
Edit: Although my gated community only provides a readily identifiable perimeter, it doesn't negate good tactics, and the wall is probably not very bullet resistant.

[hudson5969]

Well, after spending what probably comes to thousands of dollars on setups over the years, I've found the following:

Find out where you like your magazine pouches, everything revolves around that. Once you know that, buy a rig that has them sewn on: it both saves weight and they flop around less. Shit flopping around fatigues you sooner. Have some PALS webbing -- for auxillary shit you may want on the rig.

If I'm in armor, I don't worry about prone, part of the use of armor is to present more armor and less body to be hit, anid even with a single layer, I can't effectively prone out in armor.

So, I'd say buy a chest rig for any rural or use where mobility is a must, and I'd recommend a single layer Swamp Fox or Minute Man. Then get a shingle to attach to an armor carrier if you plan on duking it out.  But there again, I find as I get older and fartier, I really want to carry less shit, and deal with less bulk.

ETA:

Couple of other things:
The cost of buying the whole harness versus buying two shingles to go on your current rig is somewhat marginal, and I really like the harness they make.  The closest thing to it is the harness on the Haley rigs and they are a bit flimsier feeling, IMO.

Is the admin pouch a real deal breaker?  For a notepad and writing utensil, I just put them in the bicep pockets of my combat shirt.  Larger notebook needed, I'd think I could take the time to get them out of an admin pouch on a pack.  Just some thoughts.

Previously I won a rig from these guys and got the Minuteman for AKs.  Great rig, and even being the 500D Multicam Tropic, it's held up to my steel AK mags just fine.  The only weakness isn't in their rig, but in the one-piece chest design itself.  When I was doing some winter work with it, and started to get overheated, it was a real pain in the ass getting my coat unzipped to vent.  I like to have critical gear like magazines readily available, so I wear the rig outside of clothing. 

Transitioning to the AR platform, I do believe I'll be going with a Swamp Fox for it.  That way I can unzip without having to take the rig off, or detach the back strap to reach under.  I can either work around the buckles, or unbuckle them and re-buckle.  So, I'd second the though on the split-front.

[fox]

I live pretty rural, but still work in a small town. I was looking for something that would be inconspicuous when I needed it to be. I ended up with a BCM 03 MSF. It's a nice rig and fit the bill and also very similar to the Swamp Fox, but has bungees for mag retention. I found UW Gear looking for a bandoleer for my truck gun, looking for the same simplistic low profile reasoning in design. Like hudson, I feel if I'm not wearing armor, and geared up for known confrontation, then I want to be light, maneuverable, and hard to spot in a situation that would be detrimental otherwise. Adaptable gear has it's place, but comes at a price, and mostly I see it as bulky. After experience with my share of different rigs, I look at the situation I'm in now, and.....

Wow, that's a long winded post to just tell you what others have. Assess your situation, and pick what supports your platform. It sounds from your first post that you pretty much know what you need. After finding the UW Gear sight, I will be transitioning over a lot of what I have, and adding the bandoleers. It's high quality with well thought out designs.