Introduction
I was lucky enough to get hold of some of Zulu Nylon Gear‘s innovative M4 pouches a few years back – not long after the company’s 2007 launch.
Since then the range has broadened and the pouch design has been leveraged to create products such as the M4 Reduced Signature Chest Rig (RSCR), which I have on loan from Tactical Kit – thanks guys! Tactical Kit now offers a capsule of Zulu’s products.
In a world of open top mag pouch micro chest rigs, Zulu’s iteration is a breath of fresh air – allowing as it does open or closed mag pouch operation in a minimalist package.
For me this is the unique selling point of the rig, which will appeal to a good many people – particularly those in environments where it’s not just rain that works its way into mags; or where gravity or other forces are a factor, which requires greater mag retention.
With that said as an introduction, I’ll walk through the layout and features which help make this a well rounded micro. There’s also a few notes on construction and use at the end.
Layout
The Zulu Nylon Gear M4 Reduced Signature Chest Rig (RSCR) presents as an X-harness micro, which exhibits three M4 single mag pouches.
It’s equipped with tensionable bungee web up front – here I’ve attached a TQ, purely as a demonstration.
The waist strap and X-harness feature SwiftClips. The ones used on sides of the rig are fully detachable. The reverse of the rig features a placard style Velcro field, which enables the item to be secured to suitable PCs – utilising the two integral SwiftClips at the top of the rig.
Waist strap and X-harness feature bungee loops, to allow limpet-like tension of the rig on the wearer’s body without affecting breathing. These webbing straps are thin – whilst remaining comfortable – for use under clothing (minimal printing) or a pack (minimal chafing).
Features
1. Mag Pouches
The rig’s headline act is its mag pouches, which are rendered in Zulu Nylon Gear’s signature style. As mentioned in the the introduction, the pouches can be used open or closed.
The operation is slightly mind bending – but in a good way – so stick with me…
When closed, the pouch lids secure to the rear of the rig, using Velcro. Here’s one pouch closed, while the two either side are open:
Each pouch lid is equipped with a chunky webbing tab, which is particularly easy to locate and manipulate.
Just a brisk pull downwards and the mag is ready to be drawn.
It’s a crazy good idea which works really well. It’s a doddle when prone, for instance, when compared to conventionally flapped pouches.
On the other hand, if you’re neither worried about crud getting in to the mags or you do not require additional retention, the pouches can be prepared for open mode.
Again, it’s just a pull of the tab. You then fold the lid’s tip in on itself and mate it with the Velcro on the face of the pouch – making everything nice and neat.
The mag pouch tension is controlled by an adjustable bungee.
2. Bungee Web
Up front, at the lower edge of the mag pouches, is a useful bungee web – which is tensioned via cord loc.
Here I’m carrying a TQ. It’s easy to locate and access in this position.
3. Elastic Retention Loops
Flanking the rig are two elastic retention loops.
These are suitable for holding pens, carabiners, or whatever (although note that for the latter, elastic doesn’t function as a hard point – but for holding on to gloves this setup is fine).
4. PC Compatibility
The reverse of the rig features a PC compatible Velcro field, so that the item can be mounted as a placard. The SwiftClips at the sides of the rig are fully removable.
With the X-harness detached, the integral SwiftClips which join the harness to the top of the rig can be used to hang the rig on the front of a suitable PC (e.g. JPC 2.0 – review here).
5. X-harness
The rig’s harness is X-configuration. It is composed of tan webbing, but also features a bungee loop.
This keeps the rig conformal, whilst allowing the user to breath when the harness is run tight.
The harness is attached to the rig’s body using SwiftClips.
6. Waist strap
The waist strap is of the same construction as the X-harness.
7. Map Pocket
Secured with Velcro, the rig features a flat pocket to the rear.
Construction
The rig is well constructed – as you’d expect from Zulu; built in the US, from Mil-Spec materials.
That said, if I could suggest one improvement, it would be the use of Multicam webbing instead of tan for this Multicam version. However, this is an aesthetic issue not a functional one.
Use
As is probably clear from the review, I love the Zulu mag pouch design and it really sets this rig apart from other micros on the market.
The strap bungee system works well and the rig just feels minimal and light.
Where to Buy
Hit up Tactical Kit to buy this product – thanks again to them for the loan.
The Reptile House 