All About Chest Rigs
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Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to go over chest rigs today. These pieces of kit are incredibly versatile and afford shooters on-body magazine storage capabilities. Our goal with this blog post is to discuss these pieces of gear while providing a brief overview of their features and traits. Without further ado, let’s talk chest rigs.
What is a Chest Rig?
A chest rig is essentially a piece of equipment which allows an end user to retain magazines and gear on their body. These rigs are typically attached to an end user via a harness. These types of harnesses will typically feature shoulder straps, usually in an “X” or “H” pattern, and are supported by waist straps.
Classic examples of chest rigs can be traced back to the early 20
th century in the form of bandoliers and web gear. These older pieces of kit served the same purpose as modern examples as they were designed to keep
ammunition ready to go at moment’s notice. Chest rigs and bandoliers were also worn over armor and other protective gear once they became available and issued to troops. Modern examples which are common today can be worn over existing gear, used as standalone units, and even integrated onto plate carriers.
While a majority of the modern chest rigs on the market will feature a Velcro backing, there are some offerings which lack this feature. Some of the rigs lacking this feature will be of the split front variety, allowing them to quickly be donned and doffed at a moment’s notice.
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What Are Chest Rigs Good For?
Chest rigs allow an end user to keep magazines and equipment on their body without having to utilize cumbersome harness systems or plate carriers. Simply put, these solutions are lighter than other load bearing equipment and are capable of being used in a standalone capacity.
Chest rigs are highly versatile pieces of equipment and can typically be modified or simply work with a variety of magazines and gear. For example, the
Haley Strategic rigs and Spiritus System Micro Fight offerings can be configured with inserts, expanders, and extra pouches to make them adaptable for a variety of uses. Whether you are wanting to run STANAG sized magazines, battle rifle magazines, pistol magazines, or subgun magazines, you will be able to do so with a chest rig. Simply ensure that the proper insert is used or that an appropriate pouch exists for your desired magazine.
The lightweight nature of chest rigs can be particularly appreciated by those in competition settings who shoot in hotter climates. Chest rigs are lighter than plate carriers and are less bulky and restrictive, making them more comfortable to wear for longer periods of time.
Integration with Plate Carriers
Many chest rig offerings will easily work in conjunction with a plate carrier. Things such as G-Hooks and SwiftClips along with Velcro backings allow modern chest rigs to be affixed to an existing plate carrier. Some manufacturers of plate carriers also produce chest rigs and feature some proprietary attachment methods. These attachment methods also allow chest rigs to be swapped for other units, a feature which comes in handy if someone is shooting different types of firearms. For example, one can easily swap between a rig for STANAG type magazines and one that accommodates subgun magazines.
Simply put, the versatility afforded to an end user by a chest rig is easily extended to users of plate carriers as well. While plate carrier users will need to work with the extra bulk and weight of a carrier, they can still benefit from the ability to integrate a wide array of potential chest rigs depending on their needs.
Who Makes Chest Rigs?
Currently, chest rigs are made by a number of reliable companies who produce high quality products. Companies such as
Haley Strategic, Spiritus Systems, Velocity Systems, First Spear, and Ferro Concepts are among some of the notable American chest rig manufacturers. Chest rigs are available in a variety of colorways, ranging from solid colors like black and ranger green to camouflage patterns such as Multicam and M81 Woodland. Accessories for chest rigs are also available in matching colorways, allowing for easy color coordination.
There are also a variety of old manufactured chest rigs on the market which are enjoyed by shooters of all types. Whether you are budget conscious, wanting to run old school or historical kit, or just simply want to run older gear, one can absolutely do so. Common examples are surplus rigs manufactured by Eagle Industries or the famous Chinese Type 56 Chicom rigs. The Eagle Industries rigs of this type will typically feature built in flap magazine pouches or feature MOLLE webbing which will accommodate a variety of pouches. While originally intended for AK use, Chinese Type 56 Chicom rigs feature large pouches which will also accommodate things such as AR magazines.
At the end of the day, chest rigs are quite readily available from both new and old sources. Shooters of all budget levels can either purchase a complete rig or piece together one over time, building something that fits their needs and budget.
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Easily Configured and Accessorized
Many of the chest rigs on the market can be easily configured with options on the company’s website. For example, Spiritus Systems allows an end user to essentially completely build out an entire setup on their website. This process allows an end user to configure their rig exactly how they want with the knowledge of which parts will actually work together.
Companies such as
Haley Strategic also offer components which augment and support chest rigs. For example, one can acquire one of the FlatPack offerings from the company and integrate it with a chest rig. While the company intends for their FlatPacks to be used with their own rigs, they can also be utilized with other offerings that utilize similar buckles. Haley Strategic also offers polymer inserts for their rigs and others which aid in magazine retention in the form of their MP2s.
Other accessories such as additional pouches, expanders, and inserts are also available for many of the popular rigs on the market. At the end of the day, a shooter has a great deal of freedom when configuring and running a chest rig. One can truly create a rig setup which fits their needs and preferences, optimizing their shooting experience.
Conclusion
All in all, chest rigs are versatile pieces of equipment which will benefit all types of shooters. Whether you want to retain and store magazines or use it for training and tactical use, a chest rig will serve you well. Regardless of whether you use a chest rig or not, you will be well-served by
ammunition to help train and build your skills. We here at True Shot Ammo carry a wide variety of loadings well-suited for training and practice. Everything from
9mm Luger,
5.56x45mm NATO,
7.62x39, and
.308 Winchester is represented by our
ammunition offerings. As always, happy shooting.
Need bulk ammo? At True Shot Ammo, we have a wide variety of handgun ammo and rifle ammo available to purchase. Please visit our website trueshotammo.com, call us at (888) 736-6587, or you can email us at sales@trueshotammo.com for more ammo options.
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