Going Light: UW Gear’s Grab n’ Go Minimalist Rig
“What’s a good geare solution for a bump in the night? Something like a rapid deployment scenario? Grab it and go, with just enough equipment to add on to an EDC?”
A question I get fairly often. Minimalist rigs are en vogue right now and for a good reason. A lot of people aren’t looking for a heavier or more complex fighting load. And they shouldn’t be. You’re not a door kicker in Samarra and running around dressed like one is, for the most part, pretty stupid. Its not practical either. And for those of us who’ve been there a time or two, the lighter I can get away with going, the better.
The whole idea behind a minimalist rig is response. Just enough ancillary gear to supplement your every day carry load for a more serious scenario. When we had our local flare up here a year ago that required an armed response, my group of friends were faced with that very situation. Becoming kitted out wasn’t exactly practical, but we needed an additional few mags on a rack and a way to communicate.
Hawkeye’s low profile fighting rig is exactly an answer to those needs. I’ve been running it in a few classes now and I have to say, it meets the same standard that I’ve come to expect from his other products. Three spare mags and a radio. Nothing complicated. Nothing bulky, no bullshit, just a quick to don fighting rig that fits behind the truck seat. Everything else I might need…a knife, a tourniquet, a lighter and watch, are all already on my body. And it doesn’t add much in the way of additional bulk.
I’m a fan and its quickly becoming my go-to rig for most purposes.
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About the Author: NC Scout
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Poor Hawkeye. He’s already struggling to fulfill existing orders. I have his low profile rig. It is awesome. Open in the front for going prone. Excellent quality on his stitching. I just hope he doesn’t have a nervous breakdown with all the work to do. :-)
I have coffee….. so I’m good. :-)
I very much want one of his bandoliers but I’m a little put off by the extended wait time. I know he is just about a one-man gig and that he makes really quality stuff so I know it’ll be worth it. I just want to get my grubby hands on it sooner.
My mother did always say I had patience issues.
Well worth the wait.
I have a ‘minuteman bag’ that has 4 mags, some extra med stuff, radio and a water purifier. Just throw it over my shoulder and I’m ready. Most other stuff I EDC. It usually goes with me in the car along with my small plate carrier.
I adopted the concept of the “Minuteman Bag” quite a few Years ago, when a Foot Injury precluded me from effectively running around like a Grunt with a 60-pound Pack. (Later, I realized that sort of a Kit simply Did Not Fit with any combat scenario I might find myself in)
Look at the original “Minuteman” concept from the last Revolution against the ‘government’. Rifle, 60 Rounds Ammo, Bayonet/Knife, Canteen, and a Sack Lunch. I adopted this by way of a US-Mil Gas Mask Bag, with a pair of 2-Mag (G-3) Pouches, and a Canteen on added ALICE-Clip Straps. Another Mag and Bayo on the M1-A, some IFAK stuff, Beef Jerky and Clif Bars, extra pair of Gloves, a Hat and Socks. Just throw it over the Shoulder and Grab the Gun.
I still have a Vest and Pistol Belt Rig for the Sig 5.56 “Pistol”, but have been working to Pare it Down as much as possible. If you Divest Yourself of the concept of “Patrolling” long distances (like a Grunt) you don’t need a bunch of Food, Clothing and Snivel Gear to do things within a reasonable distance of your Home. And I’m on 750 Acres, Fields and Woods, so that’s what the Electric Off-Road Scooter is for. A Mountain Bike would probably do just as well, but be more Limited to the Roads and Trails.
Whoa whoa whoa …. NC Scout, what’s with the Holosun 503r on your go to carbine ? So used to seeing the ACOG on that rig.
For those not aware, the Holosun red dot housings are a little taller than the Aimpoint T2. Therefore, their 1/3 co-witness mount is actually taller than actual 1/3 co-witness.
FYI, for us weirdos out there who want their Holosun’s at absolute, even Holosun’s absolute mount is above typical absolute height.
This is the solution:
https://slrrifleworks.com/holosun-mount-ib-absolute/
It’s exactly 1.4″ center of optic above the rail. Not the 1.5 that everyone says is absolute, which is not same as irons. Learned all this the hard way.
I have nothing to do with SLR, just have 5 of these mounts for Holosun’s and very happy with them. Excellent quality too.
And thanks for the head on this Hawkeye UW rig. Looks like a great keep it simple option. Argh… man you cost me a lot a bread when I come to this site. :-)
The ACOG is sitting on a Sons of Liberty 13.7in carbine under evaluation right now.
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Man, gotta add an Aviators 16 oz. water flask at the very least. And a compact flashlight, flashlight technology has leaped in the past 10 years to pretty incredible. Those two won’t add much more weight or bulk.
This in a Hungarian six magazine AK magazine bag. These used to be dirt cheap, selling for less than $10 several years back. I keep a couple of these around in varying spots.
Another good source for carry rigs is Olongapooutfitters.com. they have good gear with about a two week wait in my experience.
My ‘bump in the night’ kit is very minimalist. I use an old (canvas, actually) GI fanny pack with shoulder strap. Outside, one side gets a water bottle holder, the other gets an IFAK with extra TQ.
Inside, six AR mags, four Glock 21 mags, 12 rounds 12 ga OO, 4 rounds slug, NVG, safety glasses and spare cellphone. The bag sits in my ready gun cabinet, along with a carbine and Mossberg. The Glock (30) sits on my nightstand, when I’m asleep.
If the electronic or bio-alarms (dogs, geese) wake me at night, I can grab whichever firearm I think will be appropriate, and go investigate. If I need more firepower than that, I’m likely screwed, or hopefully in a secure room.
If I have to go into queue (which is cool, cuz his stuff is high quality), I’d like to wait and see if he has a decent sling that has the padded area in the load-bearing section and a rifle-agnostic attachment system.
I have yet to find something that I would wear all the time under SPORKY conditions.
Can you pass on to Hawkeye? I can be the only mook who wants something that works over long periods…
Thanks. Regards to all.
I’ll pass it on.
Cool. Thanks.
I’ve made some slings in the past. I’ve found though that I can get equal or better comfort by using simple 2″ webbing in the support area, and 1.25″ webbing at the ends, with less bulk than a padded one. Problem has been finding the 1.25″ webbing. Maybe I’ll do a video on the ones I have made.
Good to see this. Ready in a minute is better by far than be there in ten.
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Looks like excellent kit, worth every penny. For those short on pennies, FLC II vests can be had on Amazon for around $20.
For that “bump in the night” instant response, I use a Vietnam era four-pocket cloth bandoleer, loaded with two 30-round AR mags and my cell phone. One empty pocket for whatever.
re: the 3 pocket, 6 mag nylon M-16 bandoliers, Berglander says he runs them with 4 mags and a blowout kit in the 3rd pocket, great idea!
I keep one in the jeep, very handy.
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