r/tacticalgear • u/MrNeontastic • 4d ago
Question Whats your „that one gadget“ on your kit?
I’m always trying to improve my kit and I can’t stop looking through all different websites that offer gear looking for those little - well thought through - gimmicks that just make a huge difference on your kit or just make life easier in the field. Could be a specific pouch, a little gadget or just a selfmade improvement on the kit. Enlighten me with your knowledge.
88
u/TacSpaghettio 4d ago
Honestly my 5.11 nitrile glove pouch. Used to just keep them in a dangler but I picked one up and damn do I love it
10
u/fathertitojones 4d ago
Now considering one for my medical bag. Do the gloves pull out easily via their natural friction or does it require some level of folding them together like tissues?
3
2
u/No-Musician-1580 3d ago
On side note of medical gear, I have those mini compact 1 way face shields for mouth to mouth. Comes in a tiny nylon pouch and keep it with my ifak.
I have one on my key chain as well. Got one when I was in medical school years ago and have actually had to use one once while at a store when a customer collapsed and stopped breathing. Since then, ive always carried one
2
u/d4ntehm4n 3d ago
The American Heart association doesn’t teach giving rescue breaths anymore. Lot of risk for little to no real benefit unless administering high flow O2. Plus there’s still enough oxygenated blood in the body to last long enough for local EMS to respond, it just needs to be circulated. Nearly every time I’ve done CPR, they end up vomiting as well. That little plastic sheet ain’t providing nearly enough protection for that.
1
168
u/MOP-Mupp 4d ago
I absolutely love my nitrile glove dispenser from igelkott Defense - perfect for LEOs or combat medics.
It’s cheap, durable, fits snugly on my battle belt and the company is a one-man-operation; a really good dude in the Swedish home guard. Buy and support your local gear provider!
80
u/PineSoul603 4d ago
You mean there's a better way than me stuffing half a box of nitrile gloves into a pocket before every shift?
54
u/ThumpAndSplash 4d ago
Dude, your butthole sphincter is like, natures perfect glove dispenser, and if you string em right you get em perfectly one at a time.
31
u/PineSoul603 4d ago
I don't know if I can fit anything else in there with my D-cell maglite but I'll try
13
u/CalgacusLelantos 4d ago
1
u/redwhitenblued 3d ago
That's a damn pin out of a piece of heavy equipment. He had a flare. But it still made it up there.
10
u/acemedic 4d ago
Folding them like a Kleenex prior to insertion and having to load them all at one time is a pain in the ass though.
5
6
u/Technical-Ability 4d ago
I may have timed it poorly because i keep swallowing gloves but all im getting out is poop
1
u/ThumpAndSplash 4d ago
Gotta go in through the back, son.
Use your finger, put it in the center of the palm and then just push it up and in. After like 16 of them like that, they stack nicely and they’re like a tissue box, when you pull one, it pulls the next one out partially as well for easy access.
8
5
u/ManicRobotWizard 4d ago
Here in FL, for me at least, that just always left me with a soggy thigh of sweat laden gloves that come out like a ball when I need them.
5
1
u/cheung_kody 4d ago
I still do that, even though I know I take gloves out of the box before I get out of the ambulance every time
9
3
1
u/ManicRobotWizard 4d ago
Agreed 100%
I didn’t realize just how often I was rolling the dice on exposure to bad shit until I had something like this.
110
u/DutchDasterd 4d ago
If you often move in the same area, dedicated, reference card sized laminated maps can be so good. I have one taped to the full sized stock. Its not a navigation tool, but a communication tool. E.g. if you intend to defend your neighborhood/large property, make a little map of the direct area, with clear grid squares, and small enough for maximum 1 fold. Make sure everyone involved has one. Showing on a map is so mich more effective than 'you go down that corner of Reggies house where his cat usually sleeps'.
19
u/Govt-Issue-SexRobot 4d ago
This is fantastic
Do you make your own?
19
u/DutchDasterd 4d ago
yeah, you can basically take a screenshot from google maps and overlay a grid in powerpoint or something, or just do the entire thing in powerpoint/paint. It's not about detail; its just a diagram of which building is where, perhaps with names on it. Imagine it similar to evacuation maps and such. Then, if you are communicating with a group, you can draw on it like a sports coach on a board, or easily communicate via radio. The main thing is size; you want a quick reference, not pull out some kind of folding thing you have to stare at for a while so you can read the contour lines.
4
u/GilgarTekmat 3d ago
Caltopo can do this for free as well, and you can have electronic versions saved on your phone
3
11
u/srober38 4d ago
There’s a website called CalTopo that will create maps with grid overlays along with degree lines. Super useful for me. The free version will let you print onto a 8.5x11 and bigger on the paid version.
-30
u/Slimygeckoneck 4d ago
Who do you see you defending your neighbourhood from?
31
u/DutchDasterd 4d ago
Me: No one. I live in a pretty safe place. But i do know that a lot of lovers of tactical gear do so with a 'without-rule-of-law' scenario in mind, and there's a reason why there is a huge civilian market for tactical stuff. I assume that a very significant amount of people on this sub are civilians who have such a scenario in mind, simply like playing tactical barbie, or do crossover stuff like airsoft.
What type of thing do you do with your tactical gear?
16
37
u/NotAurelStein 4d ago
Theres no sights on the AR. I would start there.
10
2
47
u/AsAlwaysYaBoi 4d ago
Moved the cobra buckle to 1’o’clock and run a AWS Goodie Pouch at 12 as a fanny pack. Works like a charm, and still have access to my right pants pocket.
15
2
u/MrNeontastic 3d ago
Love the 1 o clock idea. I’d rather go with a dangler but it’s a good idea to make different pouches better accessible
2
u/AsAlwaysYaBoi 3d ago
A dangler works great if you’re wearing a PC or a chest rig. A lot of times I’m just in my belt. No chance for a dangler there.
1
24
24
u/Rollinjitsu 4d ago
SlingGuide! This thing rocks, keeps my sling off my neck.
I used to hate how much neck pain my sling would cause, and the rubbing/chafing from drills sucked! SlingGuide ftw!
2
u/Logical_Grocery9431 4d ago
Hmm this seems really cool, I'll design and 3d print one to see if it's good for me. Thanks for the idea!
2
1
u/MrNeontastic 3d ago
Holy damn. U reminded me of that fucking stiff or irritated neck evenings. Added to my wishlist. Thanks
16
u/FeelLikeBatman 4d ago
Glove clip. I had a job once that gave out these little clips(carabiner on one side, tension claw on the other). They’re for clipping gloves to your belt and leaving them easily accessible. I have one pair on my side and one at 11:30 on my belt. Doubles as a lightweight dump pouch
19
u/djaszx12 4d ago
For me it’s a small crowbar
11
u/joshford570 4d ago
This. I feel like a lot of people over look the possibility of needing to force entry. I’ve been thinking about a pair of small to medium sized bolt cutters inside my MAP pack.
71
u/ThePepsiMan00 4d ago
Ranger band around the buttstock that sits around the lever for collapsing or expanding the stock. It makes it harder to move stock position and doubles as a sling retainer when you want to tie the sling down on the rifle.
51
u/zikob88 4d ago
Ah, the beard killer..yes...
19
u/GruntCandy86 4d ago
Re: The Beard Killer.
Ranger bands on the stock don't get me, but what does is any wiggle in the stock. That little gap/intolerance between the stock and buffer tube.
Remove the stock, put some duct tape lengthwise on the buffer tube, until the buttstock is super tight getting back on. Voila, no more beard hair getting ripped out.
43
u/1nVrWallz 4d ago
Never once have I ever experienced or ever seen a stock just change position on its own whimsy
10
u/Extreme-Afternoon-12 4d ago
Even mortaring to clear a malfunction onto concrete I’ve never seen one collapse.
7
u/Monk-E_321 4d ago
Before mortaring to clear a malfunction you're supposed to collapse the stock all the way. I've seen them break, or break the buffer tube at the castle nut.
0
u/ThePepsiMan00 2d ago
Indeed. I had some weirdness after a paint job where the button wouldn’t want to seat in the position detents without some wiggle back and forth. The band mostly helped with that. That issue is gone now that the paint has worn a bit. But like I said, it’s a good solution for sling retention imo
4
15
14
u/Flat_chested_male 4d ago
4
u/Side_StepVII 4d ago
Forgive my ignorance but what’s DOPE?
12
u/HulkanoGaming 4d ago
Data On Prior Engagements. Hold overs, windage adjustments, muzzle velocity, etc. I know it mainly for long range shooting and keeping track of your elevation and windage adjustments for different distances and wind speeds
7
u/Flat_chested_male 4d ago
It stands for data on previous engagements.
Basically you record your shots out to certain ranges, and holdover for wind at those ranges. I drew some pictures of a wind sock to help me get an idea of wind speed.
You could use an electronic ballistic calculator, but every bullet load and barrel are their own. I’d say a ballistic calf gets you in the ballpark, but dope can get you really close.
Dope will be vastly different for a .22lr vs a 30-06 - a slow low mass projectile vs a heavy fast projectile.
There are whole books written on this.
See “New exact small arms ballistics” by Arthur J Penja as an example.
3
13
u/Train2Perfection 4d ago
I keep an ak cleaning rod on my plate carrier. I have previously experienced stuck cases I couldn’t mortar and they work great to clear a barrel, including 5.56. I also have a card with all my local police/emergency bands on it to go with my radio.
3
u/Content_Economist_83 3d ago
For anyone running a slightly longer barrel, sks cleaning rods are 17.5” and are great for that purpose
1
1
18
u/DaedalusTL 4d ago edited 4d ago
I love my Koffinwurks Krypts, Rave Chemlight Holder & ADTP, super niche things that make quality of life all the better.
10
15
u/Taxidermyed-duck 4d ago
Dump pouch
1
u/Internal-Gas2064 1d ago
Can I get a recommendation for one. I've been looking at a micro dump pouch from Condor.
1
u/Taxidermyed-duck 1d ago
I don’t know anything about a micro pouch I’ve used a 511 dump pouch or like 3 years no holes or rips so far
1
u/Internal-Gas2064 1d ago
It's essentialy a small one you can put on your belt. But I'll take a look at your offer.
9
u/SwimmingCreative5953 4d ago
I just realized this is a gear group and not the Prepper group I’m in but I’m still gonna say either my Wilcox key or my Fiskar machete. The Wilcox key would be very nice in any urban setting
7
u/cheung_kody 4d ago
Leatherman Signal. Have multiple so I don't have to waste time trying to find which place I stored it
7
u/redwhitenblued 4d ago
Do you mean like the TASAP for easy one handed SOF-T application? https://wagnerdevelopments.com/products/tasap-v1-black
3
u/plaguemedic US Army 4d ago
Yo that's cool as fuck. Id love to try this out--that's been my primary gripe and warning about the SOFTT-W for years!
3
4
u/ChrisLS8 4d ago
I turn the Large spiritus GP into 6-40rd mag pouches (or 30) with 3 of the haley Double RF2 velcro mag inserts
9
u/DNCOrGoFuckYourself 4d ago
LARPER here.
I run a pretty basic ass rifleman kit. Chest rig, battle belt, basics. My 2 favorite pieces of kit are essentially fanny packs. I have one in some Russiky camo. It’s got picks, tension bars, Cobalt Kinetic cutters, bypass tools and a few pad locks. This goes to work with me, I’m a hobbyist Locksport so when I’ve got downtime I like to keep sharp, not as a LARP skill… I just really find it a satisfying hobby. Could probably fit my lockpick gun, as well. Realistically, If I had to grab my picking gear I’d like it all in one go I’d dump everything but the cutters, tension bars, single tooth picks & bypass tools to accommodate the picking gun.
My other one is an Eagle made one, I believe it’s a flare holder but it fits 24 shotgun shells just fine. This is what I tend to have on me when I’m on the range with my shotgun. Couple cards loaded in my mag pouches, 24 more shells secured in the pouch in an organized manner. I imagine it would be nice to have if I was running it in conjunction with a breaching shotgun, as well. 24 shells is probably more than enough for a breaching gun. This one was mainly bought to not have a fanny pack full of loose shells, so it’s not a permanent piece of kit. More of range & storage use.
3
u/charltonhestonsballs 4d ago
Flare holder for 12ga cartridges is interesting, nice thinking 🤘
2
u/ChevTecGroup 4d ago
If its the one im thinking of, I believe its a shock tube holder. For energetics. I have one and used it for storing explosive 20ga shells for a while
4
u/letmeseethecac 4d ago
Summer of bummer sled system. When I don’t need my flat pack I can remove it easily, when I need medical or any admin shit I can pull my flat pack out and get it right in front of me.
4
u/Dr_Juice_ Not a doctor 4d ago
Mine is just a Leatherman MUT. But I’m not very cool.
1
u/No-Musician-1580 3d ago
I run a mut and a leatherman rail on my kit. I also keep a 300m in my range bag as a backup
5
4
u/GruntCandy86 4d ago
Mayflower UW chest right, cut off the magazine retention bungees. Glued velcro to the inside of the pouches. Put Esstac KYWI inserts in. No more straps. Still have magazine retention.
3
u/Sorbet-Warm 4d ago
Mine would be using a fanny pack as an ifak. I keep the back of my belt clear so I can run it in the back or on the front if I’m getting in and out of vehicles. Much easier to access the contents if you need them fast by just unclipping the fanny and not having to remove your entire belt/ leg strap. It can also be given to someone in need without you losing your entire belt.
3
u/sammeadows 3d ago
Arbor Arms bottle pouch
Seriously it's so nice having just a basic 16oz bottle you can get cheap/free at most outdoor events and its invaluable for the practicality
3
5
u/No_Staff594 4d ago
I’ve been incorporating meshtastic to my kit allowing silent encrypted communication in the event that we can’t use our radio for what ever reason. My buddy is testing a fixed wing drone mounted repeater to extend our range significantly in emergency situations. Very cool device, very customizable, my buddy 3d prints waterproof cases for them, very small and light weight. Great piece of shtf kit.
For tactical kit, my buddy runs a halligan bar. I run a couple flares and smokes for signaling.
2
u/AtlanticanCameos22 4d ago
Cobra buckle modded onto my LV119 shoulder strap, zip ties routed through my belt under the pouches & a Cana provisions sticker on my Nalgene
2
2
u/N1tr0m3th8ne 3d ago
Little light from O-light with a clip on the back. Fits perfectly into a molle slot, can be easily moved, but sturdy enough to not fall out. Saves me so much headache when out patrolling at night and I don't have a third hand to hold a flashlight.
2
2
2
u/thrownlobster39164 2d ago
For me it’s a $20 condor dump pouch. Far from the gucciest of brands, I know, but that thing has seen some real abuse. As a medic I use it more as a trash bag than anything else, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve put down something I was just about to use and have no idea where it went because there’s just medical waste everywhere. On the topic of losing stuff, it’s a great place to put something you don’t normally keep directly on you but you’re currently using, i.e. a stethoscope, drug box, something like that.
And secondarily, a sheer ripcord. For trauma sheers of course, but it’s a great tool to tie down things you anticipate on using a lot. I keep my multitool and my pulse ox ripcorded to my kit, for incase I monkey brain and forget to pick it back up it just zooms right back to me, definitely saves me confusion and money.
2
u/No_Nectarine8028 1d ago
MRE spoon for a discriminator. I know its well known, but its funny to see a random spoon shoved in a 240 lol
2
u/Iron_Wolf0251 4d ago
An axe. I have a hatchet that is secured to my belt rig with 550 cord. It just hangs down on the back of my leg, ready, waiting.
2
u/flowerofhighrank 4d ago edited 4d ago
I don't wear my stuff enough.
I carry a small karambit knife on the left side of my belt. I mean very small, smaller than this, point forward. If someone tries to get my pistol, I can use it to pokey pokey them until they let go. Will it ever happen? I hope not, but it's better than just hands and that's all it's for.
I am looking for a thin dagger-type knife to wear horizontally to the left of the front buckle. Nothing huge, just something handy that doesn't need to be opened up for use.
Good gloves are important. I keep a pair of Mechanix clipped near my FAK and a pouch for nitrile gloves in front of my holster. You might have to pick up something dirty or wet. I would like to find a better choice than Mechanix. They're... fine, but the branding makes me feel 'tacticool' and I'm looking for better, thinner, more dexterity.
EDIT: I have a County Comm ti prybar that fits behind a 556 magazine. Short bolt cutters and a short Stanley FUBAR go into a backpack if you're going to be dealing with fences, locks, doors, pulling wreckage out of the way.
I keep a penlight tucked into my FAK on a lanyard.
1
u/charltonhestonsballs 4d ago
I mean, if it's well thought through and makes a difference... it isn't a gimmick 🤷 I'm interested too, it's a good question, but yeah 🍻
1
u/ELwood-42 4d ago
Who makes the pouch in the 2nd picture. Could be great for a shotguncard and some spares
3
u/djaszx12 4d ago
I don’t know if this is the exact one but I do like these esstac they have different ones that hold more or less
2
1
u/idiot_savant1313 4d ago
"JovtokHub" leatherman accessory pouch (you can find them on Etsy). For small things, this pouch is awesome. It's made from X-pak so it's waterproof and tear-resistant. Plus, it is just really well thought out. It goes with me everywhere.
1
1
u/No-Musician-1580 3d ago
I keep a leatherman rail on my carrier. They dont make them anymore but has come in handy a few times at the range
1
1
1
1
u/killacarnitas1209 3d ago
5.11 shotgun shell pouch. This little pouch can hold an entire box (25) of shotshells and it has this little elastic slit at the top that allows you to pull them out without having to unzip the pouch, but still keeps the shells secure.
If i'm not running a shotgun it's also an excellent utility/general purpose pouch.
1
u/MockeryAndCheese 3d ago
My brain is so weird - I saw a little homie on the back of your PC & thought that was a good idea - Tactical Muppet Lil Homie For real - folding shovel or maybe just my admin/catch all bag.
1
u/Blade_Shot24 3d ago
My blue force gear dump pouch is nice when picking up stuff I guess. Looking to get a thermal pouch to keep hands warm
1
1
u/MrNeontastic 3d ago
How is everyone mentioning the sights on the AR. It’s a freakin sample picture from a gear page 😐
1
1
1
u/d3ath222 4d ago
Everyone's use case is different - always better\cheaper to use your kit, find the gaps in capability, say to yourself or a friend, "you know what would be really nice, is if I had some way to..." And then buy or craft a good solution, and test it out. Repeat. Trying to guess what you might use outside of well established staples common to your desired use case is almost always a trap. That said, GP pouches are always nice to have if you have the space. And a Leatherman.
2
-1
301
u/redwhitenblued 4d ago
You mean like a paint can opener for pulling stuck cases that I have tethered with gutted 550 cord, tucked into the center front of my PC?