Eagle SKD Chest Rig Review

[Kuting]

Eagle Chest Rig, Universal/SKD Version :: At SKDTAC.com :: Eagle Industries, Multicam Tactical Gear, Tactical Vests, Molle Pouches, Chest Rigs...

Over the weekend I attended a 2 Day Basic Carbine Course by EAG Tactical. I ran the SKD chest rig.

Upsides.

This rig is extremely solid in construction and the materials seem like they could put up with quite a bit of abuse. The padded straps were a welcome addition, as ammo weight can quickly add up and wear you down. Reloads were smooth with no problems due to snags or extremely tight pouches. The dual mag pouches had no problem with retention, even when one mag was removed, during drills going from standing, to kneeling, to prone. Picking up mags after drills required no holding of gear when bending down to get things off the ground. I felt this was a plus because you can keep your hand on your weapon to increase safety and be ready for situational changes. The pocket on the back side of the rig remained unused during the course. This rig is lightweight and virtually unnoticeable. It breathes very well in the 90 degree weather and showed no signs of absorbing stinky sweat and smelling like a nasty gym sock later.

Downsides.

The crossed straps on this rig tend to migrate inward, and after a while they'll irritate the neck. With armor or a collar this would not be an issue. Reloads out of the outside pouches were less speedy due to the hook and loop retention straps. This was easily remedied by wrapping the retention straps around the neck straps at the base of the rig.

All in all this is a great piece of gear. I enjoyed using it and would recommend it to anyone for low weight training.

Kut

 

[esrice]

Thanks for the review!

With my first carbine class coming next weekend, I purchased this rig from a fellow INGOer (although it appears to maybe be an older version, as the body is multicam, but the flaps and parts of the straps are tan). It also has the ability to completely remove the two outer velcro mag straps.

Do you feel like the strap migration would've been stopped by a collared polo shirt? Or something more substantial?

If you don't mind, I will add my own review in this thread after next weekend's class.

 

[Fenway]

Thank you for the review! +rep

 

[Kuting]

Thanks for the review!

With my first carbine class coming next weekend, I purchased this rig from a fellow INGOer (although it appears to maybe be an older version, as the body is multicam, but the flaps and parts of the straps are tan). It also has the ability to completely remove the two outer velcro mag straps.

Do you feel like the strap migration would've been stopped by a collared polo shirt? Or something more substantial?

If you don't mind, I will add my own review in this thread after next weekend's class.

My rig has the same tan flaps over the pistol mag pouches. I posted this review on another forum and a couple people mentioned modding the rig with an H-Harness such as the ATS Modular Harness found here... Product Selection: #ATS-0076, Modular Padded H-Harness ATS TACTICAL GEAR "Outfitting the World's Finest Warriors"

Most have said a collared shirt won't cut it due to the nature of the crossed straps.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

Eagle makes some good stuff. I run the Eagle CP223.

I wear it higher than depicted as I like to get flat in prone or SBS prone. Plus I like to come up quicker from the deck and at my advanced age eight mags slow me down (well, that and the Indian buffet).

 

[esrice]

As promised, I thought I would update this thread after running this chest rig at MDFI's Carbine 1 class held at lovemywoods' range in Brown County, IN a few weeks ago.

First a few pics:

Going into this class, my goal was to find something to hold at least 4 magazines on my person. There are many ways to do this, but I chose the chest rig due to 2 factors: time and cost. I didn't have time to order belt pouches, so I needed something quick and possibly local. I also didn't want to spend an arm and a leg, because I wasn't sure if I'd even like this method, and could possibly end up changing it at a later time. When I found a fellow INGOer selling this rig for less than retail, I jumped on it.

I ran this rig during a 1-day basic carbine class. It was a very HOT day. Ninety-plus degrees. I wore it from the time class started, removed it for lunch, and then finally took it off after the last drill of the day. Total time in it was maybe 6 hours.

Although the rig did hold in heat closer to my body, it was not unbearable. I was expecting worse, but once it was on I kinda forgot about it. Removing it for lunch did cool me down quicker, but I would not hesitate to recommend this for hot weather activities.

The padded straps were a nice touch, and I never once felt like they were binding up or pinching me. There was some talk of possible ride-up of the straps, but I did not experience this, even with a collar-less moisture-wicking t-shirt on. My UERT sling, while running on top of the straps, never did interfere in any way. One word of caution, however-- the intersecting straps are a great place for your neighbor's hot brass to funnel down. I got 3 separate pieces of flaming hot brass down my back over the course of the day, leaving some pretty neat looking scars.

Although the pouches can hold up to 8 mags, I ran just 4 at a time. I also removed the outer retention straps, as I didn't need the added retention for our activities. I didn't run any pistol mags in the front pouches, and instead kept just a folding knife and multi-tool there.

As with any class, I learned a lot about my gear and its deployment. Although the chest rig worked great for its purpose, I will probably move on and try another method for my intended purposes. In MY world, my carbine would most likely be used for self-, home-, and property-defense. Because of this, I will be exploring the use of a "sneaky bag". Tossing on a fully-loaded chest rig at 1am is probably a bit much for me. The 'grab-and-go' aspect of the sneaky bag appeals to me.

In summary, the Eagle rig works very well for its intended purpose, and it does it at a reasonable price. I would recommend it for anyone looking for a starter rig.

 

[Slow Hand]

Although the chest rig worked great for its purpose, I will probably move on and try another method for my intended purposes. In MY world, my carbine would most likely be used for self-, home-, and property-defense.

Great review. If/when you move on to something else, put me first in line for that chest rig.

Thanks,
Doug K

 

[esrice]

Great review. If/when you move on to something else, put me first in line for that chest rig.

Thanks,
Doug K

PM sent.

 

[Fenway]

Great write up! Did anyone run the class with some kind of sneaky bag?

 

[matthewdanger]

Great review! The Eagle/SKD rig is a great all-around chest rig. It is also a bargain considering that you don't need to add any pouches to get up and running. I like to mount a small GP pouch on one side and a IFAK on the other.

It does have a few weaknesses. Like you pointed out, the x-harness can be uncomfortable. You can deal with it by purchasing an upgraded harness of some kind. HSGI makes an H-harness that they will customize to work with the Eagle/SKD rig, ATS makes an H-harness that can be adapted, and I have even seen people adapt a TT MAV X-harness (though this set up will not allow the rig to ride as high as I prefer). I have also found that letting the rig ride higher on the chest cuts down on the pinching with the added benefits of working better in the prone and keeping clear of your belt/draw stroke.

A little more retention on the mags would be great too but it may be asking too much of a chest rig in this price range.

Overall, it is a great rig. I used one for about 5 years and several carbine courses with great results. I have moved on to other rigs but I still keep my Eagle/SKD rig around as a spare.

 

[jjlaughner]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Slow Hand
Great review. If/when you move on to something else, put me first in line for that chest rig.

Thanks,
Doug K

PM sent.

HAHA this chest rig will get to more classes than I have!
I bought it new from SKD in early 2006, for the July EAG 3day carbine class that year. Then I used it for about 10minutes in a MultiGun match.

Only issues I remember was my USP45 mags where a tight fit in the front pockets. If I remember correctly I wore 2 kydex holders on my belt and a Maxpedition RollyPoly Dump Bag.

 

[esrice]

Did anyone run the class with some kind of sneaky bag?

No one ran one, but Steve demonstrated the use of his.

I've been looking more into them, as its something that can be tossed over the bed post and be ready to go at a moment's notice. It is also much more low-profile.

Steve's had a price tag of ~$150, and he then made some custom alterations to it. It still has dedicated mag pouches on the inside, so its not like you're just pulling out mags from a jumble in a bag. It can then also act as a dump pouch, and even had room for a med kit. In addition to the shoulder strap, there was a waist and thigh strap for added support and retention during a class. These straps had a cool way of being tucked away when not in use.

We'll see-- like everything else, learning is a process.

 

[Slow Hand]

Well, here's the way it's set up now. Three 20 round M-14 mags, four 1911 mags and the 1911 in the right side. Fixed blade knife on the outside as well as a folder and a SureFire in the other two mag pockets. My chopped dowm M-14 is kind of a long range home defense type of gun, but figure it's good for stopping cars as well as bad guys!

It'll also get used if I ever get around to taking a carbine class with my AC556. I like the versatility of being able to hold AR/AK/M-14/Mini-14 mags.

Looking forward to testing it out at the range!

Doug K