The right prepper gear will quite literally mean the difference between saving your life, or imminent death. We’ve stressed the importance of a good bug out bag in the past, but today we’ll take a look at the specific items needed for you to fight with your weapon during TEOTWAWKI. From flashlights to medic kits, to flame retardant gear and strategic clothing choices. This is surely a post you’ll want to save, and share.
Although most of our readers are great and come here to learn an additional perspective, there’s always someone who wants to say why they think they know more than our experts… so with that in mind, please note that this particular setup has been battle tested on the streets of Iraq and is responsible for saving this man’s ass multiple times, while blasting the remains of his attackers into multiple pieces across the desert to rott in the Jihad’s battle field. This has worked for him, and was designed to be highspeed, low drag. You’ll have to consider the input, and decide how to modify it for your needs.
Even if you’re prepping on a budget, this list will maximize your effectiveness as a private soldier for freedom, and serve as a combat multiplier for you and your retreat.
Guest Post By: 1LT Harry T Golden
What’s important to note is that my kit is TOP of the LINE gear, the latest and greatest available for 2004. That was nine years ago. There have been many improvements and the price has dropped considerably since then. A few items are now obsolete, like my gigantic weapons mounted flashlight. However, I saw no point in spending over $100.00 on a light that is a little brighter, much smaller and may never be used. There were simply other places to best spend the money.
I carry four flashlights. One on the AR, one on my head and a tactical light (CA123 batteries) and a Mini Maglight (AA batteries) for a reason. The weapons light is obvious. If you plan to go out after dark or have to defend the homestead after dark a weapon mounted light is the only way to go. I use a UTG 200lm light that holds 3 CA123 batteries. It’s heavy, it’s big and it’s $45.00. Back in the day this was a nearly $200 light. Before those rail mounted lights were available, we would duct tape a D cell Maglight to the fore stock of our M16A2s to clear buildings after dark. Adapt and overcome. If it looks stupid, but it works, it isn’t stupid.
The head mounted light is your primary light that you use for everything. I like the Petzl Tactikka. It’s stupid expensive for what it is, usually around $60.00, but worth it in that it is so efficient the AAA batteries last forever. I don’t think anyone really knows how long they last. After doing 6hr night missions for two weeks, everyone just changed the batteries even though they were still going.
The handheld tac light in my rig is for clearing rooms with the handgun, which as my skill and my boys skill improved we found ourselves using more than the M4. The Mini Maglight is the work horse, as the run time on all the high speed CA123 tac lights is 60 minutes or less. This is the light you use when you need a long illumination burn, such as searching a house. The CA123 batteris have a specific purpose. They are expensive and don’t last long. Once they are gone, well they are gone. I don’t know anyone stockpiling these. Use sparingly and keep a regular common battery light in your kit.
Many items I wouldn’t upgrade even if I had to replace them. One such item is the Garmin Rhino 120 GPS/GMRS. The controls are not intuitive and the device is slow to operate even with practice and having all the functions memorized. If the current one that I bought in 2004 ever breaks I will be replacing it with another Rhino 120. As far as electronic devices go, this thing is indestructible. Having a GPS and a radio in one package that lasted through two deployments and I still used to this day makes up for the short comings.
I carry another radio, a hand-held Midland 75-785 CB. Why? Consider this, under most SHTF Scenarios there will be no cell phones. Communications is the first thing destroyed by an attacking enemy or shut off by a Tyrannical government. Commo will be taking a step back a few generations without the assistance of satellites. CBs are cheap, are everywhere, can be powered by a car battery, are portable and in my estimation, will be the long distance phones of the future, whereas, the FRS and GMRS radios will be for local calling.
I carry just enough food and medical to keep me going for 24 hours. Remember the bulk of my gear is in the Go Bag. I have a 5 Hour Energy, 2 Clif Bars, and some Jolly Ranchers. Plus items for health maintenance like tweezers, small 1st aid kit, stuff for heartburn and Vitamin C booster and a tourniquet on me at all times.
Regarding the rig and pouches, mine are either Blackhawk, Spec-Ops Brand or issued. There are no cutting corners here. This is where you spend the money on the good stuff. The reason is simple, you will not survive if you buy cheap pouches that loose gear. You will not survive if your rig doesn’t hold up. Think of it as the frame of a car. In my experience, only the American made gear is up to par. I have seen some really nice affordable stuff from china, the problem being fit and thread used. The thread and stitching for the most part will be where the gear fails first. Next is the fit. The molle strap stitching is rarely correct and difficult to fit the straps through. It seems to me that they make a guess as to the sizes of our mags and other pieces of gear as the pouches fit poorly and do not close securely.
The following picture is a numerical breakdown of my set up. Check it out closely by clicking to enlarge. I suggest you print it out and keep it as a reference to how your gear should be set. This has become an SOP (Standard Operational Procedure) for many Prepper Groups.
CLICK TO ENLARGE
- UTG 200lm 3-cell tac light… (it’s bright, runs a long time and is cheap… they get broken and they all break)
- DBAL
- CCO on quick release mount
- Handle with tac light & DBAL switches taped on
- DPMS AR with front sight cut off… (got in the way of the scope and the replacement gas blocks didn’t have a bayonet mount)
- Pop up steel battle sights
- 9, Issue Magazines loaded with Green Tips
- Wiley X Ballistic Glasses
- Petzl Tactikka XP Head lamp
- 21” ASP Airweight
- Beretta M9
- 5, 18rd 9mm Mec-Gar Magazines loaded with Federal +P+ 115gr SJHP
- Leaper 4x compact scope on a quick release riser
- Green Laser
- Medic sears
- Stripper clip loaders
- Blackhawk nomex hood
- Helmet, issue
- Blackhawk plate carrier
- Ranger Beads
- Whistle
- Spec-Ops Brand pouches
- Issued Pistol Belt
- Blackhawk drop leg holster
- S&W Model 100 handcuffs
- Blackhawk hand cuff case
- Ontario M9 Bayonet
- Hatch nomex gloves
- Yukon NVG
- Garmin 120 GPS/GMRS radio
- Motorola head set
- Midland 75-785 CB with a Blackhawk radio pouch
- Fleece hat
- Exam gloves
- Snake bite kit
- Israeli bandage
- Burn cream
- Alcohol pads
- Iodine Pads
- Gauze
- Motrin
- Emergen-C
- Alka Seltzer Cold
- Bismuth tablets
- Tourniquet
- 1st aid instructions
- Carmex
- Lighter
- Jolly Ranchers
- 5 Hour Energy
- Handkerchief
- Triox Fuel
- Hemostats
- Hand warmers
- AR lower receiver pins and springs
- Rite-in-the-Rain notebook
- 550 cord
- Large and small tweezers
- Zantac pills
- Batteries and case
- Exam gloves
- Vis-à-vis marker
- Pens
- Mag Light AA flash light
- Aimshot water-proof Tactical light
- Can opener
- Handcuff key
- Gerber tool
- Clif Bars