I picked up the full rifleman kit with patrol pack in ACU for 70.00 bucks. Dyed it up, brown, OD and foliage. I've been hiking and training with it for a couple months now and this gear is comfortable and extremely well built. The split front vest is the ideal first line minuteman loadout. The patrol pack is outstanding. If you must fight. drop the pack and run. In the vest I carry, 8 mags, radio, binos, maps, snacks, electrolites, h20, med gear, phone, headlamp, batt pack. Everything else goes in the patrol pack. Excellent gear. Thanks for the vid.
You dye guys are intense. I just bought the Marines version in Coyote brown and got a mix of woodland pouches and coyote brown. I probably paid more than you but not that much.
@@harrykhurana7344I picked up 10 mag pouches and a couple zipper med pouches on eBay for next to nothing. The mag pouches are the perfect fit for my Motorola radio, smart phone, bear spray, etc.
It fills that gap between a small chest rig and bigger load bearing gear. They work well with a backpack or large rucksack. I use some outdated kit. If you find something that works that's all that matters.
@@Glrsteve not really. most modern chest rigs are in fact just glorified chicom rigs. and i will never understand the craze over micro rigs. if you are so out of shape you can't tolerate any weight on you, combat mobility is the least of your concern. flc is hands down the most versatile piece of kit any military anywhere has ever invented. it can be modified into a rhodesian rig, a typical chest rig, or worn in its original split front configuration with molle on the back for buttpacks and waistpacks. way more adjustable than other rigs due to the fact that its wide strap h harness design allow it to sit at any height comfortably. large open area in the back for ventilation. front can be unzipped to ventilate or for comfort. way more molle area for more items if wanted. easy to take on and off. there are zero benefits modern chest rigs have over it. none.
@@cagneybillingsley2165 Micro rigs are a different use case bro. The micro rig represents the bleeding edge of what I would need in a jiffy. I don’t always want to carry a full fighting load if Im doing isolation drills on a flatrange. The average citizen is not getting into long drawn out intense firefights. (If you are you are doing something very wrong) Micro rigs are also highly customizable as well and can accept a number of velcro and molle accessories like danglers, and expander wings, while still maintaining a lower profile, and as such don’t interfere with my pack straps as much. For someone who runs a plate carrier, most micro rigs utilize the swift clip system so you can just slap your micro rig on the front as a placard, and keep your kit the same. I can fit a micro under a car seat or in a go bag. Personally its just more handy for everyday life. As I said earlier its just a different use case so there’s no need to bash on others for a different choice in kit.
Hey Lucas - the FLC may be the most underrated piece of gear out there! I have so many configs of it - inexpensive and versatile! I have a preference for USMC 'coyote' - like how it wears next to OD - might be a 'grunt thing'! Secret - keep 'single mag pouch' slim and you can wear it under a medium weight untucked shirt. Damn🤪 - I did it again! Real mil-spec gear! You don't know until you have a 'FLiC' , 40 MOLLE pouches and a weekend! Stay safe brother!
That's fine, 99.9999% of us won't ever need high speed anything. Even when the hammer drops. I try and get people just to get basic , inexpensive gear. Alice gear, or the lbv-88e, or the flc. Get all the basics, a basic ruck, spend the rest on ammo and training.
Great overview. Civilian here and did not quite understand how these work. I currently own and use an LBV when hanging out at our northern Michigan deer camp and cabin. Will probably get a 3 or 4 FLC's and set them up for Team Family with pouches for each to support a 10/22, 12ga, or AR. Now thinking to set them up by camo style/color for each gauge. I have some desert radio pouches that fit three BX25 mags, I have two 25 rd shotshell pouches in Coyote, and will need a few AR pouches for the last one.
I deploy 2x M4-Triple pouches for the front-end (1x left/1x right), 2x MLCS Canteen pouches (left/right) with 2xnalgene oasis + 1x rear side with Admin pouch (4xPlastic MOLLE Straps Quick Detach Attachment Clips) to attach with "Molle webbing" of FLC-Vest. All them are ACU camo color to be consist for weekend 1-day hiking purpose.
Great Review! Thanks for mentioning the Buckle-Back config. Converts it to TAPS/Chest Rig! But Remember .. inside every FLC there is a padded battle belt with molle hiding... pull it out to split FLC and battle belt, then to close the FLC at the back flaps, you can 1. Weave paracord back and forth in the MOLLE slots in the lower inner edges of the back flap, pull to size and secure with one or more cord lockers! OR... 2. Use a pouch you want in the middle and weave like above from each side of the pouch to the flaps in back of the FLC! (Everyone has a spare pouch!!) Now every FLC comes with a free Battle Belt!!! Party On!!!🎉🫡
My FLC is so old it’s 3 color desert camo. It’s super easy to put on and it carries pretty nice with the wide shoulder panels and padded belt. Also LBT used to make a vest with full front and back MOLLE that’s a notch fancier, but hard to find these days and expensive.
Nice review!! I like mine as issued... lets you breathe on the march and not overheat. Attach a waist pack and another canteen and you're good for a day or two in the field.
Back in 2008, we got brand new FLCs for our deployment and I did not like it at all. I wound up getting an Eagle Industries chest rig for most of my time downrange. When Ingot back home I gave the FLC another chance and after working on it I really fell in love with the system. It is honestly the Rodney Dangerfield of webgear. Most don't know how to use it and far too many don't care to learn. When the system is used properly, it is comfortable and works like a sewing machine. Nowadays I wish I could find more uses for it in the civilian world, lol.
I tried a Condor battle belt/H harness blah blah. Ditched the belt for an LC2 and kept the H harness. Load out is a SPECOPS butt pack, 2×1qt canteens, and 2×1 Rothco 2 pocket utility pouches. I use a FLC for ammo, IFAK, over the ALICE rig.
Is that a grenade pouch on your right hand side of the FLC? And also, I have mounted 3 UCP M4 mag pouches on my LBV like the way you set it up, but I can't decide whether I should mount another M4 mag pouch or a USGI Woodland radio pouch for my phone. And I intend to use this LBV for my backyard where I could muck around. Cheers.
I've been sportin an FLC for my woods trampin going on over 5 years now. Very modular and great for carrying my crap, Haven't found anything better. They're cheap enough that I have several around in different configurations for different jobs. No sense dickin around with what works.
Bottom line any gear that you can adapt to fit your needs will always be relevant and current. People still use SKS 'chicom' chest rigs because they serve a function.
Don’t throw away your old Alice gear. Get some molle to Alice adapters the old m56 Alice canteen pouches look sick on a coyote brown FLC you can use them as water pouches, ammo pouches, gp or paint the tabs red and use them as an IFAK. The working class is being outpriced in every corner of the gun “tactical” market. Eagles industries, Spector and Specialty defense systems are all great affordable brands
A lot of the "hate" can probably be boiled down to people that didn't like how they had to use them when they were in the Army or Marines. The Military has a good habit of making you use gear in the worst way.
Having gone on my own FLC modernization journey, I like that it's a vest system that doesn't turn into spaghetti (my biggest gripe with most LBE) which makes it easy to throw on by itself or over armor. But it certainly has shortcomings in that you can't load it up like traditional LBEs which support the weight on your shoulders AND hips, while the FLC puts all the weight on your shoulders. Coincidentally, this makes it difficult to mount a handgun in the traditional spot unless you're the type to run it on your chest in a crossdraw holster. Having said all that, the Russians have a pretty good solution in the 6SH117 vest, a molle vest that extends all the way down to a waist belt. So you can have your sidearm at its usual spot and your mags centrally located as you would on a plate carrier or chest rig, but all in one system. Good luck getting one these days though, I think Grey-shop.ru still has some.
Hey that's pretty cool - thank you for informing us. Do you have any experience with the Russian FLC you mentioned? What's you're experience with it compared to USA FLC?
@@Gabriel_the_Shemite Unfortunately, I'm still waiting with crossed fingers for my 6SH117 to clear customs. However, the 6SH117 itself is just an improved version of older vests used mainly by the Dutch (if you search for Dutch modular combat vest you'll see it).
I picked up the full rifleman kit with patrol pack in ACU for 70.00 bucks. Dyed it up, brown, OD and foliage. I've been hiking and training with it for a couple months now and this gear is comfortable and extremely well built. The split front vest is the ideal first line minuteman loadout. The patrol pack is outstanding. If you must fight. drop the pack and run. In the vest I carry, 8 mags, radio, binos, maps, snacks, electrolites, h20, med gear, phone, headlamp, batt pack. Everything else goes in the patrol pack. Excellent gear. Thanks for the vid.
What pouches did you use to carry all that stuff?
You dye guys are intense. I just bought the Marines version in Coyote brown and got a mix of woodland pouches and coyote brown. I probably paid more than you but not that much.
@@harrykhurana7344I picked up 10 mag pouches and a couple zipper med pouches on eBay for next to nothing. The mag pouches are the perfect fit for my Motorola radio, smart phone, bear spray, etc.
I still use the old woodland FLC and still works better than MOST systems now a days.
Wouldn't say most, maybe outdated ones
Most is a… stretch.
It fills that gap between a small chest rig and bigger load bearing gear. They work well with a backpack or large rucksack.
I use some outdated kit. If you find something that works that's all that matters.
@@Glrsteve not really. most modern chest rigs are in fact just glorified chicom rigs. and i will never understand the craze over micro rigs. if you are so out of shape you can't tolerate any weight on you, combat mobility is the least of your concern. flc is hands down the most versatile piece of kit any military anywhere has ever invented. it can be modified into a rhodesian rig, a typical chest rig, or worn in its original split front configuration with molle on the back for buttpacks and waistpacks. way more adjustable than other rigs due to the fact that its wide strap h harness design allow it to sit at any height comfortably. large open area in the back for ventilation. front can be unzipped to ventilate or for comfort. way more molle area for more items if wanted. easy to take on and off. there are zero benefits modern chest rigs have over it. none.
@@cagneybillingsley2165
Micro rigs are a different use case bro. The micro rig represents the bleeding edge of what I would need in a jiffy.
I don’t always want to carry a full fighting load if Im doing isolation drills on a flatrange.
The average citizen is not getting into long drawn out intense firefights. (If you are you are doing something very wrong)
Micro rigs are also highly customizable as well and can accept a number of velcro and molle accessories like danglers, and expander wings, while still maintaining a lower profile, and as such don’t interfere with my pack straps as much. For someone who runs a plate carrier, most micro rigs utilize the swift clip system so you can just slap your micro rig on the front as a placard, and keep your kit the same.
I can fit a micro under a car seat or in a go bag. Personally its just more handy for everyday life.
As I said earlier its just a different use case so there’s no need to bash on others for a different choice in kit.
Hey Lucas - the FLC may be the most underrated piece of gear out there! I have so many configs of it - inexpensive and versatile! I have a preference for USMC 'coyote' - like how it wears next to OD - might be a 'grunt thing'! Secret - keep 'single mag pouch' slim and you can wear it under a medium weight untucked shirt. Damn🤪 - I did it again! Real mil-spec gear! You don't know until you have a 'FLiC' , 40 MOLLE pouches and a weekend!
Stay safe brother!
gonna order this. got 2 boys now, and my philosophy will be to get them kits now. maybe not the most highspeed anymore but works and fits the budget
That's fine, 99.9999% of us won't ever need high speed anything. Even when the hammer drops. I try and get people just to get basic , inexpensive gear. Alice gear, or the lbv-88e, or the flc. Get all the basics, a basic ruck, spend the rest on ammo and training.
Great overview. Civilian here and did not quite understand how these work. I currently own and use an LBV when hanging out at our northern Michigan deer camp and cabin. Will probably get a 3 or 4 FLC's and set them up for Team Family with pouches for each to support a 10/22, 12ga, or AR. Now thinking to set them up by camo style/color for each gauge. I have some desert radio pouches that fit three BX25 mags, I have two 25 rd shotshell pouches in Coyote, and will need a few AR pouches for the last one.
I deploy 2x M4-Triple pouches for the front-end (1x left/1x right), 2x MLCS Canteen pouches (left/right) with 2xnalgene oasis + 1x rear side with Admin pouch (4xPlastic MOLLE Straps Quick Detach Attachment Clips) to attach with "Molle webbing" of FLC-Vest. All them are ACU camo color to be consist for weekend 1-day hiking purpose.
Great Review! Thanks for mentioning the Buckle-Back config. Converts it to TAPS/Chest Rig! But Remember .. inside every FLC there is a padded battle belt with molle hiding... pull it out to split FLC and battle belt, then to close the FLC at the back flaps, you can 1. Weave paracord back and forth in the MOLLE slots in the lower inner edges of the back flap, pull to size and secure with one or more cord lockers! OR... 2. Use a pouch you want in the middle and weave like above from each side of the pouch to the flaps in back of the FLC! (Everyone has a spare pouch!!) Now every FLC comes with a free Battle Belt!!! Party On!!!🎉🫡
Or buy $5 ALICE suspenders and use them to make MOLLE LBE with a buckle front.
Good insight. I hadn't thought about many of the considerations you listed.
Glad it was helpful!
My FLC is so old it’s 3 color desert camo. It’s super easy to put on and it carries pretty nice with the wide shoulder panels and padded belt. Also LBT used to make a vest with full front and back MOLLE that’s a notch fancier, but hard to find these days and expensive.
Nice review!! I like mine as issued... lets you breathe on the march and not overheat. Attach a waist pack and another canteen and you're good for a day or two in the field.
Well, it's a modular vest that can fit over any clothing or ballistic vest. Yes, it's still relevant today.
Back in 2008, we got brand new FLCs for our deployment and I did not like it at all. I wound up getting an Eagle Industries chest rig for most of my time downrange. When Ingot back home I gave the FLC another chance and after working on it I really fell in love with the system. It is honestly the Rodney Dangerfield of webgear. Most don't know how to use it and far too many don't care to learn. When the system is used properly, it is comfortable and works like a sewing machine. Nowadays I wish I could find more uses for it in the civilian world, lol.
Could you tell me more about the adjustments you made? Just setting up the sizing or did you mean where you mounted your gear? Just curious.
I use one with Tactical Tailor utility pouches as a hiking/survival vest.
I setup 2 FLC's. One for shotgun option and one for rifle option.
I got mine set up and in my truck for if I ever need to use my truck gun I like the old FLC easy to put on in a hurry
It's great. Best value for the money hands down.
I've been meaning to try and find an unissued woodland flc. I'm just so stuck on my Alice gear. I tried to like the lbv-88e and just can't.
Good review.
I tried a Condor battle belt/H harness blah blah. Ditched the belt for an LC2 and kept the H harness. Load out is a SPECOPS butt pack, 2×1qt canteens, and 2×1 Rothco 2 pocket utility pouches. I use a FLC for ammo, IFAK, over the ALICE rig.
Is that a grenade pouch on your right hand side of the FLC?
And also, I have mounted 3 UCP M4 mag pouches on my LBV like the way you set it up, but I can't decide whether I should mount another M4 mag pouch or a USGI Woodland radio pouch for my phone. And I intend to use this LBV for my backyard where I could muck around.
Cheers.
How much weight can the flc be loaded down with ?
Would 20lbs be too much ?
If your sergeant major made you put your flk over your iba he hated you.
I've been sportin an FLC for my woods trampin going on over 5 years now. Very modular and great for carrying my crap, Haven't found anything better. They're cheap enough that I have several around in different configurations for different jobs. No sense dickin around with what works.
Bottom line any gear that you can adapt to fit your needs will always be relevant and current. People still use SKS 'chicom' chest rigs because they serve a function.
So, this FLC has a zipper ???
Yup... redye the $5 ACU FLC!
Don’t throw away your old Alice gear.
Get some molle to Alice adapters the old m56 Alice canteen pouches look sick on a coyote brown FLC you can use them as water pouches, ammo pouches, gp or paint the tabs red and use them as an IFAK.
The working class is being outpriced in every corner of the gun “tactical” market. Eagles industries, Spector and Specialty defense systems are all great affordable brands
I've used FLC's in the past, I like them okay. I'm not sure why they get so much hate, they're inexpensive and common.
A lot of the "hate" can probably be boiled down to people that didn't like how they had to use them when they were in the Army or Marines. The Military has a good habit of making you use gear in the worst way.
Attach a TAPS with a FLC.
well...... technically you could I guess haha
Having gone on my own FLC modernization journey, I like that it's a vest system that doesn't turn into spaghetti (my biggest gripe with most LBE) which makes it easy to throw on by itself or over armor. But it certainly has shortcomings in that you can't load it up like traditional LBEs which support the weight on your shoulders AND hips, while the FLC puts all the weight on your shoulders. Coincidentally, this makes it difficult to mount a handgun in the traditional spot unless you're the type to run it on your chest in a crossdraw holster.
Having said all that, the Russians have a pretty good solution in the 6SH117 vest, a molle vest that extends all the way down to a waist belt. So you can have your sidearm at its usual spot and your mags centrally located as you would on a plate carrier or chest rig, but all in one system. Good luck getting one these days though, I think Grey-shop.ru still has some.
Hey that's pretty cool - thank you for informing us. Do you have any experience with the Russian FLC you mentioned? What's you're experience with it compared to USA FLC?
@@Gabriel_the_Shemite Unfortunately, I'm still waiting with crossed fingers for my 6SH117 to clear customs. However, the 6SH117 itself is just an improved version of older vests used mainly by the Dutch (if you search for Dutch modular combat vest you'll see it).