This topic contains 9 replies, has 4 voices, and was last updated by 
James Mitchner 1 year ago.
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How much gear is too much gear?
See some of these tacti-cool magazines, or read on some survivalist forums about guys with plate carriers, magazine carriers, battle belts, etc.
Sounds all well and good.But is it practical in a post-SHTF world?
I can tell you this, climbing in and out of APC/MRAPs/helos is not easy with all that gear/weight. And those M1913 rails, they can and do get caught on webbing.
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Depends on what SHTF is . A partizan would need them , etc .
Besides , as they say ” better to have it and not need it , than need it , and not have it ”
In a SHTF , its always easier to reduce , than to acquire .
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Most of the time, fast and light are what work.
When you start talking about static defense then the plate carriers and tacos and junk start to make sense.
Having gone where angels fear to tread, my “rolling gear” was a great deal lighter and simpler than anyone else I worked with.
My 5-11 push pack contained an additional 4 30 round mags, binoculars, a bottle of water, a doorstop, a small bottle of CLP, a small flat pry bar, a spare set of batteries for the lights and some gorilla tape.
I already had @100 rounds of pistol Ammo on me
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I don’t think that sort of gear is useless. It has its place depending on your circumstances and those who choose to have it really need to become familiar with it and its limitations. At the least, a means of securely carrying spare mags is an important piece of kit. A light-weight chest rig can be covered up beneath a light jacket without being too obvious and drawing unwelcome attention. I doubt we will be tossing our empty mags since acquiring additional mags could be difficult or impossible. A roll-up dump bag on your belt will be invaluable.
Lots to consider.
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I am going on the assumption that fuel and gas power means of transportation are extremely limited or gone.
Primary means of transportation is human powered, foot, bicycle, etc.
I have a large Amish community in my area, and a few people with horses, but that is the exception, not the rule. And your average American would not know how to ride a horse, let alone care for one.Having said that, humping around with all that gear is cumbersome, tiring, and will require the consumption of more water and calories.
As James said, it does have its place. Just not sure how much in a post-SHTF situation.Not sure where the idea of concealed carry came from in a post-SHTF situation. If ROL is gone, why bother concealed? I can just as easily imagine everyone open carrying and thinking nothing of it.
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The Romans had it figured out long ago . The basic formula is still accurate to this day . Marius figured that the average Roman soldier should , and could carry , the Roman equivalent of 50 lbs on a march , and still be able to fight . This in addition to his armor ( which was . chain tunic at the time of the Marius reforms ) Now if your overweight and out of shape , this means weapon , ammo , and water ……….leave the cheese burger at home .
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That was a formal standing army, with a logistical train.
When I was in the Marines, doing a hump, we carried our pack, Shelter half, sleeping pad, wet/cold weather gear, two canteens, a flack, rifle, and brain bucket.
We did not carry additional water or food. That was brought up by the sag vehicles and field expedient chow hall.I am referring to a post-SHTF situation. Are you going to be gardening with plate carriers, rifle slung, additional ammo? Or how about walking to the neighbors a mile or so down the road? Moving livestock to the next paddock, in the fields over uneven terrain?
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I’m thinking folding knife, sheath knife, non-tactical earth-toned clothing according to the weather, a rifle with maybe a shoulder bag containing several extra mags… maybe a pistol and one extra mag. Not too cumbersome. If I were doing work outside I might forgo the rifle in favor of just a side-arm… or have the rifle in close proximity.
I do have soft armor and would consider wearing it when ‘going to town’ was necessary should the environment warrant it. (I might would wear it now if I had to make a trip into the city at night for some reason)
As for concealed carry, there might be good reason to carry concealed depending on how things shake out. Open carry could make you a target, depending on who the ‘heavy hitters’ are in the area… and there will be some.
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I carry a folder with me as is. Just habit. More for opening/breaking down cardboard boxes, cutting the twine on bales of hay, letter opener etc.
I also carry a large fixed blade. It is a now no longer made Becker Machax. Good sized, has heft. Looks tacti-cool but it is a farm tool. I use it on a regular basis for cutting down small trees and limbs. The sheath is really nice, comfortable.One season we had a coy that took a few chickens. I would catch glimpses of it here and there. Took a .22 rifle out with me. Yeah, trying to work with it slung across my back, not a real thing.
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I also carry a folder. Have for many years. I have a TOPS Pukko sheath knife I add when around the place. Have machete a fixed to the Polaris Ranger and a 10/22 and Mini14 in a roof rack.
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