How do I go about being tactical without being "tacticool"?

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Cubiclerevolt

Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2020
Messages
1,113
Location
Glendale, AZ
As the title suggests I am looking for an optimal set up as part of a get home kit that doesn't scream tacticool or I am some CoD wannabe.

It's fine if people have that stuff but I'm not an "operator" nor related to gecko45. I want have a setup that allows me to have extra mags and supplies to use to get home in case there was an emergency and I was not able to get home but not draw the attention of bad guys in a neighborhood.

What I am considering on running is:
A PCC that I can fold up in a backpack and keep a midsized compact pistol (G19, P229 etc) on me that is concealed.

- A couple of MREs (other small snacks like trail mix, beef jerky.)
- lifestraw (if my kid is with me he can just share mine)
- 2 packages of electrolyte mix
- extra socks, hot weather clothes, pair of flexible but durable shoes
- wet wipes
- Flashlight
Everyone says pack paracord but I don't know what I would use it for tbh.
- small and medium sized folder
- firestarter
- Basic IFAK covers blue nitrile gloves and some items I kept from my time as an RT. (mouth to mouth barrier) ibuprofen, asprin, sunscreen, sanitizer.

Trying to find the balance of a plate carrier that I can conceal it without it being too obvious but offers adequate protection to recommend.

Streamlining my bag to be both lightweight and but maximized on being able to get home. Good chance I would possibly have my young teenage son with me. So I am wondering what I should pack for him as well.
 
Get a backpack that is a non-tactical color -- blue or red or green, but not black, coyote brown, OD, or god forbid camo.

Change of clothes in the car, in case you get stuck wearing bym shorts and flip-flops. Next time you replace your running or walking shoes, use the old ones as part of your kit. Use old clothes that you would otherwise have given to Goodwill; you don't need them to last for years, just to get home. Make the shirt be blue instead of khaki or OD.

In my go bag, I have a size 40 leather belt, with holes punched in it every half inch down to size 28, so (almost) anybody can use it.
 
smithers599 said:
Get a backpack that is a non-tactical color -- blue or red or green, but not black, coyote brown, OD, or god forbid camo.

Change of clothes in the car, in case you get stuck wearing bym shorts and flip-flops. Next time you replace your running or walking shoes, use the old ones as part of your kit. Use old clothes that you would otherwise have given to Goodwill; you don't need them to last for years, just to get home. Make the shirt be blue instead of khaki or OD.

In my go bag, I have a size 40 leather belt, with holes punched in it every half inch down to size 28, so (almost) anybody can use it.

This is great info. Thank you.

Most of the time this is how I am walking around due to coming out of the gym sweaty in a rashguard or pair of board shorts so thats what I wanted to keep the other stuff. Will keep those in my car and take them out of the bag. I also have a small camelback that can hold 2 litres plus a hydro flask.
 
AZ1182 said:
If I was trying to do what you're doing, I'd look into at first the PCC, do you want a brace or a stock? The stock puts you into NFA territory, not necessarily a bad thing to get what you want but there are some whom get unhinged at what others do or prefer. If going for the brace and not NFA, the best brace for me has been the Tailhook Mod 2: https://gearheadworks.com/product/tailhook-mod-2-black/ as it has no wobbly rubber to mess with a good cheek weld. For folding it, well prepare to hate money again: https://www.primaryarms.com/law-tactical-ar-folding-stock-adapter-gen-3-m-for-ar15-and-ar308

Get a lower and upper with a BCG that accepts Glock mags, so both the 19 and your PCC accepts the same magazines when in a pinch.

Just my take at least, and I'm not a Jason Bourne either. If you have any questions, just ask as I don't mind.

Come to think of it, I'm not a PCC fan myself but a PCC in .357 Sig that uses Glock mags with a G32 companion does sound interesting.

Oh, and 550 cord has an amazing amount of uses, such as assisting with the assemblies of temporary shelters using a poncho as the roof, hanging things up to keep out of the dirt and elements, slings in a pinch, etc.

This is great info. Almost considering on purchasing another glock and getting a roni. Man that part is super expensive but the tailhook looks really interesting.
 
I’ve been considering one of these for get home situation. I only work 35 miles from home but it’s going to be a rough 35 miles if something happens. Especially if something really bad happens and I have to hit the mountains to get there. It takes Glock mags and folds down nicely. I know 5.11 is an expensive option but I am kind of liking there new AMP series of packs and carriers.





https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/gun-review-ruger-pc-charger-9mm-pistol/amp/
 
guardyan_angyl said:
I’ve been considering one of these for get home situation. I only work 35 miles from home but it’s going to be a rough 35 miles if something happens. Especially if something really bad happens and I have to hit the mountains to get there. It takes Glock mags and folds down nicely. I know 5.11 is an expensive option but I am kind of liking there new AMP series of packs and carriers.


B48C83E3-2245-4FB9-96A3-265322B144DD.jpeg

See you're thinking like me.

That's where my CZ scorpion comes into play. I'm not a cast member for red dawn but make some tweaker trash and some bugs think twice about looking my way.
 
Smallest, least expensive PCC option that takes Glock mags is the KelTec Sub2K. Good gun, easily fits in backpack. Mag matches your Glock. Won’t be super upset if it gets stolen.

Scorpion and Ruger are great options, but I’d be more pissed if a $1,000 Scorpion got stolen than a sub $500 Keltec.
 
I think PCCs are great on the whole, but only because their lack of punch compared to a rifle is counterbalanced by the fact they can be quiet and use common mags and ammo as the sidearm. A 9mm carbine or handgun won't punch through a car as reliably as an AK, so as cool as a nifty little folding-braced Scorpion or similar weapon can be,...it'll never be the can opener an AK will. And so I think one should carefully consider what shorty braced pistol for packing through the Valley of Death would really be best suited to the task.
 
Ruger PC Carbine. Nice little takedown that also takes Glock magazines. I have a KelTec that I absolutely love, but I wouldn't trust it for my survival needs personally.
 
Suck My Glock said:
I think PCCs are great on the whole, but only because their lack of punch compared to a rifle is counterbalanced by the fact they can be quiet and use common mags and ammo as the sidearm. A 9mm carbine or handgun won't punch through a car as reliably as an AK

Good points however I would like to add for consideration.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkYBd9p3b8M

Everyone knows the only safe places to be in a car that isn't reinforced is behind the tires OR getting behind the engine block.

I am looking for accuracy, keeping quiet and not drawing attention to myself.

Walking down the street in a chest rig, EBR and all that is going to draw a lot of negative attention.

a month or 2 after a catastrophic event, not so much.

Things I am considering is: Power grid going down, EMP, hard left groups like black bloc, antifa, BLM types to riot and attack business near where I work innocent people and flip over cars.
 
QuietM4 said:
Smallest, least expensive PCC option that takes Glock mags is the KelTec Sub2K. Good gun, easily fits in backpack. Mag matches your Glock. Won’t be super upset if it gets stolen.

Scorpion and Ruger are great options, but I’d be more pissed if a $1,000 Scorpion got stolen than a sub $500 Keltec.

How would I lose it though?
 
Most people leave a kit in their car. Cars get broken into. Backpacks get stolen. Shit happens.
 
What you want is something learned. It's hard to tell you what you want. What I was issued was what the Gov. thought I needed. It took time to learn what worked for me. We modified half if not all of what was given to us. I guess all I can tell you is K.i.s.s , keep it simple ,stupid.
 
Out of curiosity, why is everybody so set on a PCC? I understand compatible magazine and ammo, but I still think I would prefer a rifle caliber.
 
I think, depending on your neighborhood and such, the key to not being tactical is to dress like you belong there. Old gym shoes, and a t shirt will probably draw less attention than a pair of Merrels, 5.11 pants and an Under Armor polo.

The hard part about a backpack isn’t finding a non-tactical one, it’s finding a non tactical bag that has the functions you want from a tactical bag. I’ve seen some skateboard style bags that draw little attention, but you could pretty easily still strap something large to the outside and have enough room inside for whatever you want.

It is all about compromise, but I feel like I generally get less attention in khaki shorts and a plain t shirt than the guys who wear photography vests in the summer heat here.

Holsters the same way, a good concealed holster is going to go a lot further in not drawing attention than a drop leg competition rig. A bag from rei will be more “slick” than a molle covered assault pack. Just my $.02. Which is probably worth less.
 
Add something less lethal to your bag. Tasers are good for individuals but some of the larger pepper sprays works for groups. They’re quieter than a rifle and don’t carry the extreme consequences of a rifle.

Realistically, whatever situation required you to use your get home bag will end at some point and then the police will be looking for the guy who shot 5 people with a rifle in broad daylight on a city street corner.
 

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I'm seeing combos of get home bag and bug out bags. Two separate things.
At home I have an ILBE ruck with clothes, a hand pump water purifier, 550 cord, duct date, med kit and two extra CAT's, a tarp, a book on edible plants in a ziploc freezer bag, and an empty 100oz Camelback.
I can't think of a situation where I won't have enough time to grab food from the pantry and an AR or AK with a good loadout. If whatever the situation is that puts me into a "You've got 3 min to GTFOOD" scenario, I'm pretty much already screwed. And, my priority is my family anyway.
As for a get home bag that is always in my car- smaller ILBE assault pack with- 4 28 oz water bottles; solar blanket; mirror; 10 protein bars, IFAK and 3 tourniquets; and two pairs of socks. I carry with 2 extra mags (one stays in the car) everywhere, so figure 15+17+17+1 should hopefully get me far enough away to be fine. Before I moved here from Michigan, I had 2 bottles of 28 oz water and 20 protein bars. Here, water is more important.
People go WAY overboard on the crap they put in their bags whether get home or bug out. And, anyone who's ever done a 10+ mile forced ruck march will tell you that oz's = lbs and lbs = pain.
 
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