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Apr21
Chinese "ChiCom" Canvas Chest Rig
Let's start this review by thanking Flecktarn for providing this Chest Rig for review purpus. Fot those who on't know, Flecktarn.co.uk is the specialist when you are looking for a need airsoft out-fit. It is a very nice onlineshop in the England with all the camouflage you can dream of. They are a military clothing and equipment supplier specialising in German, British, Danish, East German and Black military kit for the UK/World market. Their aim is to provide you with the best quality at an honest price. Let's hav a look if this Chinese "ChiCom" Canvas Chest Rig is worth his price...
We are ready for the chest rig now. We start with a quote taken from the website of Flecktarn themself. It will provide some general information about this Chinese "ChiCom" Canvas Chest Rig. Here we go:
"Classic design Chinese chest rig for the AK 47. Made of heavy-duty cotton canvas, this chest rig will hold one full-sized AK47 magazine in each of the front three pockets. There are two smaller pockets on each side, two of which are lined with vinyl, which are designed to hold items such as grenades and other small utility items. The magazine pockets are made in two stages to ensure correct and regular sizing. All pockets are double stitched onto the chest rig base. Pockets are closed with flaps, which are secured into place with wooden toggle and loop closure. Chest rig shoulder straps are adjustable through a self-tensioning adjustment metal ring and bar system and excess strap length is secured into place under a vinyl loop. The chest rig is tied into place around the back. The chest rig is completely silent in operation, extremely stable when worn and maintains a low profile. A classic piece of kit suitable for airsofters, role players, re-enactment and film/theatre."
See below a nice image of this Canvas Chest Rig in reality...
First impression
Build quality
The chest rig is made from thick olive green cotton canvas and is exceedingly hard wearing and will last a long time for sure.
The rig will hold three AK-47 magazines close to the user's chest, giving a low profile, the magazines require a little bit of pushing to get them in completely initially, due to a stitch line along the bottom of the pouch, but this soon becomes easier and is the same with all of these designs of chest rigs. The pouches are closed by folding a canvas flap down and securing it with wooden toggles.
This looks like a fiddly procedure and is made more difficult with full finger gloves. It is however surprisingly simple to use after some practise. Due to the length of the magazines it is unlikely for them to fall out during running or other excited movement and so closing the pouches is not necessary if speed of reloading is an issue.
On either side are two smaller cubed shaped pouches. The furthest left pouch, from the wearer's point of view, is lined with a thin plastic vinyl sheet. This is designed for storing an AK-47 cleaning kit and oil bottle, but can be easily used for any other purpose.
The side pockets ideal for holding small smoke grenades, BB grenades, 1500 - 2000 BBs in a folded bag, or any other similar sized items such as the small Motorola Radios or a pair of gloves.
The rig is held to the user with two simple canvas cross-shoulder straps and another pair of straps tied together behind the user's back. This is simplicity at its best. The shoulder straps have a metal wire buckle that is used to adjust the length and excess material can be held out of the way with a leather loop. These straps are pretty simple but i think they don't provide the maximum comfort. Personally i prefer something more than only straps. This is just a personal thing...
Camouflage and Colors
The chest rig is made from olive green cotton canvas. And as far as we know there is no other color availeble. When you go for the Vietnam look, the olive green color is all you need.
Usage
I totally agree on the quote from the Flecktarn.co.uk website. The chest rig is indeed completely silent in operation. No "kling" from any clips, zippers or what ever, ideal! The vest is also extremely stable when worn and maintains a low profile. No shaking, banging etc. It fits really good. The straps are ok, but as i mentioned before i prefer something more then only straps, maybe because i am used the a tactical vest. The straps can be easily adjusted and even me (quite big) can fit the chest rig perfect. However the green cotton used is of a very high quality and you can feel it will last a long time!
Further more the pouches can be easily accessed and the usage is just fine. No frustrations to open the pouches, i didn't loss and gear and so on.
Conclusion
This is an excellent choice for any re-enactors or themed airsofters looking for a good quality piece of kit that fits the Vietnam image. Despite the simplicity of the design, it is comfortable to wear and hangs stady and above all it is very usefull! The pockets availeble are simple to use and easily accessed and they perfect fit AK type magazines. The price is also very reasonable coming in at only £15 from flecktarn with other surplus providers prices ranging from £15 - £25. I think Flecktarn did a very good job here!
Final Grading
Dealer: *****
Quality: ****
Reliability: ****
Comfort: ***
Value: *****
Over-all: ****
We are ready for the chest rig now. We start with a quote taken from the website of Flecktarn themself. It will provide some general information about this Chinese "ChiCom" Canvas Chest Rig. Here we go:
"Classic design Chinese chest rig for the AK 47. Made of heavy-duty cotton canvas, this chest rig will hold one full-sized AK47 magazine in each of the front three pockets. There are two smaller pockets on each side, two of which are lined with vinyl, which are designed to hold items such as grenades and other small utility items. The magazine pockets are made in two stages to ensure correct and regular sizing. All pockets are double stitched onto the chest rig base. Pockets are closed with flaps, which are secured into place with wooden toggle and loop closure. Chest rig shoulder straps are adjustable through a self-tensioning adjustment metal ring and bar system and excess strap length is secured into place under a vinyl loop. The chest rig is tied into place around the back. The chest rig is completely silent in operation, extremely stable when worn and maintains a low profile. A classic piece of kit suitable for airsofters, role players, re-enactment and film/theatre."
See below a nice image of this Canvas Chest Rig in reality...
First impression
Build quality
The chest rig is made from thick olive green cotton canvas and is exceedingly hard wearing and will last a long time for sure.
The rig will hold three AK-47 magazines close to the user's chest, giving a low profile, the magazines require a little bit of pushing to get them in completely initially, due to a stitch line along the bottom of the pouch, but this soon becomes easier and is the same with all of these designs of chest rigs. The pouches are closed by folding a canvas flap down and securing it with wooden toggles.
This looks like a fiddly procedure and is made more difficult with full finger gloves. It is however surprisingly simple to use after some practise. Due to the length of the magazines it is unlikely for them to fall out during running or other excited movement and so closing the pouches is not necessary if speed of reloading is an issue.
On either side are two smaller cubed shaped pouches. The furthest left pouch, from the wearer's point of view, is lined with a thin plastic vinyl sheet. This is designed for storing an AK-47 cleaning kit and oil bottle, but can be easily used for any other purpose.
The side pockets ideal for holding small smoke grenades, BB grenades, 1500 - 2000 BBs in a folded bag, or any other similar sized items such as the small Motorola Radios or a pair of gloves.
The rig is held to the user with two simple canvas cross-shoulder straps and another pair of straps tied together behind the user's back. This is simplicity at its best. The shoulder straps have a metal wire buckle that is used to adjust the length and excess material can be held out of the way with a leather loop. These straps are pretty simple but i think they don't provide the maximum comfort. Personally i prefer something more than only straps. This is just a personal thing...
Camouflage and Colors
The chest rig is made from olive green cotton canvas. And as far as we know there is no other color availeble. When you go for the Vietnam look, the olive green color is all you need.
Usage
I totally agree on the quote from the Flecktarn.co.uk website. The chest rig is indeed completely silent in operation. No "kling" from any clips, zippers or what ever, ideal! The vest is also extremely stable when worn and maintains a low profile. No shaking, banging etc. It fits really good. The straps are ok, but as i mentioned before i prefer something more then only straps, maybe because i am used the a tactical vest. The straps can be easily adjusted and even me (quite big) can fit the chest rig perfect. However the green cotton used is of a very high quality and you can feel it will last a long time!
Further more the pouches can be easily accessed and the usage is just fine. No frustrations to open the pouches, i didn't loss and gear and so on.
Conclusion
This is an excellent choice for any re-enactors or themed airsofters looking for a good quality piece of kit that fits the Vietnam image. Despite the simplicity of the design, it is comfortable to wear and hangs stady and above all it is very usefull! The pockets availeble are simple to use and easily accessed and they perfect fit AK type magazines. The price is also very reasonable coming in at only £15 from flecktarn with other surplus providers prices ranging from £15 - £25. I think Flecktarn did a very good job here!
Final Grading
Dealer: *****
Quality: ****
Reliability: ****
Comfort: ***
Value: *****
Over-all: ****
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