We’ve done a lot of talking about rifles, specifically carbines, so far. We’re going to continue to bring the series on the carbine to you this week, as well as expand on the theme, and the direction(s) I have gone. We’ll bring you some of the options available, and show you how to accomplish some of the modification yourself at home.
That’s all great- but the premise behind Domari Nolo is a mindset. To practice a lifestyle of self ownership and reliance requires support equipment. Specifically to the modern carbine, a means to convey spare magazines as well as cleaning and maintenance essentials in the case of the truly ready individual. One of the more popular choices has taken on the moniker of “chest rig”, as the magazines are carried in a harness across the chest. The design has taken on many forms over the years, and many different makes and models exist, of which a few examples appear below, but by and large they remain somewhat consistent in their appearance…
This isn’t technically a chest rig, but probably the granddaddy of them all- the Garand belt, dated 1923. This held the famous clip for the Garand rifle. It should be made not of that this is one of the few rigs that is designed for clips. 
The WWII era bandoleer was worn slung over the shoulder, and can be fought with effectively… As history has demonstrated.
The SKS rig was designed to carry stripper clips and grenades. It remains a functional and popular rig to this day.
A continuation or variation of the theme is the AK specific version of the SKS rig… Designed to carry the Kalashnikov’s uniquely shaped magazines, but useful for the STANAG equivalents as well.
Note the similarity between the excellent Rhodesian chest rig and the combloc Type 56 AK rig…
A Rhodesian Selous Scout wearing the excellent “R34″ chest rig… A design from which most modern rigs are essentially based on, in my opinion.
One of the most common mass produced modern variants on the Rhodesian chest rig. I have operated this pattern personally for several years.
With the advent of the modular design, or MOLLE, the modern chest rig has undergone a renaissance of sorts… One can find platforms that are nothing but rows and rows of MOLLE webbing to configure to the end user’s specific requirements… A company from Florida called UW Gear (That stands for something, we’ll hint at it for you later.) has come up with a practical, value driven solution for the citizen rifleman: The Minuteman Chest Rig.
The modern, well designed Minuteman Mk II By UW Gear. This is what a chest rig is meant to be, and built like a tank to last.
I’ve spoken to one of the partners at UW Gear, John Ammons. He’s of the same opinion we are here at Domari Nolo- that in a contingency requiring the most serious of tools, and gear- there can’t be the notion that resupply will be readily available such as it is now. Gear should be built to last, and it should be just plain functional- especially if it’s to withstand Unconventional Warfare. If it’s heavy, bulky or uncomfortable- or all three- the average citizen rifleman will go without. That is something that will benefit nobody honorable.
Enter the Minuteman. The original design, the Mk. I, carried three magazines in simple, covered pouches. There is no velcro at all on the rig, unlike many other mass produced models. Velcro, although convenient, is subject to deterioration over time and exposure. That is a liability, and to that end, a pull tab design similar to what parachute riggers use is designed to retain magazines.
On either side, rows of molle for your modular pouches. I usually put my blowout kit on one side, and my field maint. pack on the other. My dump pouch goes on my belt, but could easily be looped on the waist of the minuteman as well. Based on my experience- the “H” harness of the rig is the best for easy on and off, and can be used with body armor as well more readily without pinching the neck as with a cross back harness.
Here is a video of John explaining the Minuteman rig…
There are a lot of big things in the works at UW Gear, and Domari Nolo is very interested in keeping tabs on the exciting projects going on there. We’ll keep you all posted on new developments as they occur, and we’ll be testing and evaluating some UW Gear ourselves, and in the meantime- check out the UW Gear forum link on our page for updates as well.
FM
| Snuff tins and dryer lint: Perfect together. | Week End Update | ||
| Snuff tins and dryer lint: Perfect together. | |||
| Week End Update |