TAP UPGRADES | How to Turn Surplus Gear Into an Awesome Chest Rig 

DRMO.... That stamp is Defence Reutilization Marketing Office. More recently called DLA Disposition Services, since about 2010 or 2011. Quite often you may find that the items with that stamp are not FUBAR or even damaged at all. They've just been found to be no longer useful. It's just sort of funny that as a taxpayer, you're actually buying that item twice. 😂👍

If you retain the rear velcro on the front 4 mag slots you can put kydex magazine retention inserts into the slots and tuck the rear velcro down on top of the kydex insert and it makes magazine insertion very smooth and consistent. The FLC and TAPS are very underrated in the surplus market right now.

Great video very informative and thanks for sharing!

You're killing it dude, great little hack for surplus gear.

Thanks bro! Just what I was looking for.

Thanks Partner for support Civs and Vets alike with your “tips & tricks”; especially your time and effort into providing the “BLUF”; God Bless.

great video man. I picked up me the same chest rig and going to modify using your video. Great stuff!

Interesting. I'll look into it.

Nice and easy project, looks good.

I did the full "upgrade kit" from Spiritus I think, that has the dangler add on. I went ahead and spent the extra money because of the dangler. I also did the grommet thing for all four outer pouches. I really think that the TAPS panel, with upgrades, is the best thing out there for its versatility. I even run a Princeton Tech head lamp around the front straps right at the top of the panel, just like you would on a plate carrier. It's always with me, and it doesn't take up pouch room. Please keep up the ideas, I just subbed.

I DID ABOUT THE SAME THING, BUT I PUT A SUPPLIE HYDRATION CARRIER, AND 550 LINE.

Thank you😺

Just wanted to chime in to say that if you’re using issued gear or just don’t want to destroy the regular velcro mag flaps, you can also just tuck them down into the pouches instead of cutting them off. Then add your bungees. Doesn’t impede insertion or removal of mags at all - you can still fit two PMAGs in one pouch with the velcro flaps tucked down in (though it’s a tight fit). If anything it might help a bit with retention. I decided to just tuck the flaps because I figured I might want to use one or more of the pouches for a USGI mag at some point. Grommet kit is $6 at Lowes - and lets you bungee the two pouches on the sides as well. I know you mention this is the vid but people might not realize how easy/cheap it is to add a couple grommets. Great info and a helpful vid!

Cool thanks

You seem like a cool dude, subbed

I literally just did the same exact thing with my spare taps. Added the krydex harness and the mag inserts. Makes it feel like a brand new rig. Now it’s actually viable.

One little neat trick I learned if you want those buckles to stay in place is to wrap some duct tape or 100 mph tape around the buckle and on the molle. I intend putting some grommets so I can put in additional bungee cords.

I just put mine together. It does make a big difference. I am a TAPS guy now.

My favorite setup is built out of multiple rigs iv bought over the years. My rig holds 8- 308 mags

Tactical tailor mav rig is worth looking at

Very Nice Setup 😁

good info. TY

I have a plate carrier but, honestly I use it more for push-ups and pull-ups or hikes to add weight. I got a 4 rifle mag and 2 pistol mag chest rig. I love it. Definitely what I would be reaching for over body armor. That is a nice setup. I don't have enough real estate around my waist for that many mags. Plus it might make look fat.

YOU DID A BETTER JOB THAN I DID.

The condor assault chest rig is a pretty sweet deal out of the box too, going to grab one and see if it's worth it over getting a TAP.

good video

I've had the Eagle Industries marciras since it was issued 20 years ago. It's still running. I've just been swapping out my old beat-up molle gear with better quality older gear. Still use some alice gear too.

Greta video! What bungee kit did you use?

I have 4 long bungee and 4 short bungee's which ones do I use for the magazines?

Neat! 👍

" Clang and Bang" , this is John Rodriguez: The RU-vid Algorithm brought Me, a 55 Year Old Prior Service Enlisted Marine and Soldier, to Your Channel, where I Myself AM learning from You on how , on a budget, I can come up on USGI ( United States Government Issue) Surplus Gear, from the Defense Reutilization Management Office ( DRMO) , Now Defense Logistics Agency ( DLA) Disposition Services , and, the local Army-Navy Surplus Store. Thank You very much. 🇺🇸🇺🇲🪖💣💥🔥🦅🌎⚓🇺🇲🇺🇸

TAP panels are cool. I ve run all day classes with nothing but a tap panel. rides easy, holds lots of mags and stuff and works with just about any other gear you want to run. I bought on at a flea mkt new for $5......LOL

Get an Ifak dangler so it wouldn’t take up any molle real estate. Shaw Concepts RAID v3 features a First Spear tube for QD access to your Stop the Bleed kit.

Brother I need an advice, I’m getting Helikon Tex chest rig but I would like to attach velcro hook strap on the back of it so I can use it with plate carrier. Do you think I can hand saw it and call it a day or should I use adhesive and than hand saw it for extra rigidity?

What is a good market place to find these used chest rigs? I’m liking the new versions, well used but newer than the 90’s ones. These use ballistic nylon, seem to be way lighter.

Good Ideas, however from experience on any long movement you will regret the lack of padding. Your Pack should have a chest strap to keep it in place at minimum. but great recycling video. any gear that can be repourposed should be especially if it's cheap and in good condition.

Transform to fashion and boutique carrier for combat

thank you for not having a add as your bumper.

That's a nice find and really good 👍 work on it. 🇺🇸

Do 7.62x39 mags fit in the TAPs?

Good video. What h harness did you use

gave ua thumbs up & sub to your channel 🇺🇸🤠

Been awhile

Wonder how's to crawl under fire with all these weight on the chest? Not cool. Prefer the old style rigs Vietnam era. Even get mags without tipping to the side is difficult and not safe.

Love your videos. I just don’t like the carriers that can’t hold plates. I don’t see the point in buying one, unless you are wearing a separate carrier, which makes no sense.

hey my brotha, new sub for ya here n i am a u.s. marine vet here 93' to 97' active ! only have email here ,., def. wanna talk more n LOVE talking 2A n such , i will forever support you 1 million % faithfully , thanks n talk soon > tom !

I dont like videos before watching them

A chest rig has two functions. To feed your weapons or to stop your bleeding. These folks putting all kinds of crap on them make me laugh. I do not want to watch a range warrior in a gunfight attempting to reload his primary with a compass, water filter or a multi tool because they reached in the wrong pouch. Keep it simple.

Thx. I bought a couple TAPs back in the summer, and this info was great. Headed to KRYDEX for the harness now. RockOn.StayFree.

why not wear a war belt with a side arm, and put the Ipac on the back and center of the war belt along with the chest rig... Would the chest rig and or rucksack get in the way of war belt.. Sorry old school Grunt here 1984 to 1992, we used the LBE "loud bearing equipment" aka Vietnam error, and large Alice pack aka ruck..