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bigcoastie
16 April 2010, 05:56
OSOE 12ga Micro Rig
From http://originalsoegear.com/
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The same size as our ever-popular Micro-Rig, the 12ga Micro-Rig is built to keep your scattergun fed while still maintaining a low profile
The 12ga Micro-Rig features two of our innovative 12ga Pull-Out Trays attached to the face of the rig.
Each pouch holds 6 rounds on the face panel in elastic loop enclosures. With a tug down on the loop at the top, the hook and loop panels that attach the face panel will separate, dropping the tray down. With a removable tether, you can decide whether or not to let the panel dangle or simply fall to the ground.
Tugging up on the loop at the top of the inside panel, which also holds 6 rounds, will pull the panel out of the pouch. Letting the panel go will let it swing down onto the hook and loop panel below, attaching it securely.
The 12ga Micro-Rig also features a utility pouch. The pouch is meant to hold a VOK, but is more than capable of holding over 25 extra rounds of 12ga (not at the same time as the VOK). The utility pocket also features a Velcro loop panel on the inside for easy attachment of various accessories.
Sizing: One size fits all.
Specifications:Genuine 1000 Denier Cordura nylon

http://i548.photobucket.com/albums/ii328/bigcoastie/SDC10431.jpg



I first received my OSOE 12ga Micro Rig about a month ago, upon initial inspection the quality of materials as well as construction is above any piece of gear that I’ve used. Good clean stitching throughout and the 1000 Denier Cordura used makes it a very substantial piece of gear. While everything is made of durable materials and fabrics weight seems very reasonable and it all comes together in a nice compact package.


The whole system is very slick, easy to use and offers a lot of versatility. Max capacity is 24 rounds at the ready and with the utility pouch you can easily double the amount of rounds on your person. The shells are held in place with elastic which is sewn very tightly which is a good thing. I’ve found that having too much tolerance and being made of elastic ends up with something that turns to slop, I don’t see this happening with the OSOE rig. I would suggest leaving the rig empty if at all possible while not in use just to be on the safe side. The whole system is supported by a cross shoulder strap configuration with 1.5” buckles and a waist strap that attaches with 1” buckles. Straps are very adjustable and sewn in a manner that allow the user to go from aprox. 26” in length to 50”. They will adjust small enough that they work for my wife, so if you need them to go any smaller I’d suggest you wait till OSOE develops a 20ga micro rig since you probably shouldn’t be using a 12ga. There are absolutely zero bitter ends on the shoulder straps that can get caught up on anything all of the webbing is sewn together after it’s threaded through the buckles which makes a nice finished product.

http://i548.photobucket.com/albums/ii328/bigcoastie/SDC10432.jpg

Dimensions are aprox. 13.25” wide by 7” tall and 2.75” deep when fully loaded (6 shells in each panel x 4 and 24 rounds in the utility pouch) On the backside of the rig is a pocket the entire length which is held closed by Velcro and also Velcro lined. The utility pocket has Velcro on the outside flap for patches and is Velcro lined as well.

http://i548.photobucket.com/albums/ii328/bigcoastie/SDC10434.jpg

For added versatility you can remove any of the 12ga panels. By removing 2 you can have a rig that would allow 2 M4 mags and 12 rounds of 12ga. An alternative setup would be removing all of the 12ga panels and you could end up with an ultra low profile M4 setup. For the cost you can really get a lot of use out of one rig.

http://i548.photobucket.com/albums/ii328/bigcoastie/SDC10433.jpg

Operation is straightforward and I could write a decent size paragraph but this video on youtube http://www.youtube.com/user/JamesYeager#p/search/2/qxN_r-Lk_RU demonstrates it much better, I’ve used this rig for a couple of range sessions and really can’t see how I lived without it, it allows quick reloading and ample ammunition in a package that’s very secure.

Improvements: I’ve always believed that gear should be able to serve as many functions as possible, if I were to improve on anything, I would make the following changes to the 12ga micro rig. Instead of Velcro panels on the outside of the pouches I would implement Velcro pals.

http://i548.photobucket.com/albums/ii328/bigcoastie/PIG_502-2-1.jpg


This would allow a user to use any variety of pouches on the outside of the rig when they removed all four 12ga panels. This addition alone would make the 12ga micro rig insanely versatile. You could run 24 rounds of 12ga at the ready or 2 M4 mags 12 rounds of 12ga, also with the added pals space you could run a combination of 2 more M4 pouches or 4 pistol mag pouches.


The other suggestion is more of a personal preference rather than an improvement, I am a big fan of H-harness straps as opposed to an X configuration. If OSOE offered a non-padded H Harnesss for their micro series I would be all over it. I tend to run my rigs high and tight which seem to make them start to irritate my neck since the straps are crossing right behind my head. It shouldn’t really cost more in materials but I’ve noticed most companies offer a crossed strap config again just personnel preference.


Overall OSOE has a real winner w/ the 12ga micro rig, I think with the addition of Velcro pals they could really have a product that would hands down be the ultimate chest rig. You can order OSOE products directly through their website http://www.originalsoegear.com/12gamicro.html.

The 12ga Micro rig was purchased by me and I have no affiliation with OSOE.

Stickman
23 April 2010, 16:20
I've got a buddy using one of these rigs, he swears by Original SOE Gear.