Ranger Assault Carry Kit (RACK) Reference Thread

[navyfamily]

Hello everyone, I recently purchased an SDS RACK in DCU and discovered the information on RACKs is very sparse, so I wanted to create a thread to compile any information, pictures of examples you own, and pictures of it in use. Any manufacturer is welcome whether that be SDS, Federal Textiles, Blackhawk, or others I am unaware of. 

 

I will start with some pictures of my own DCU RACK. It is missing the canteen pouch, GP pouch, drop leg pouch, SABRE radio pouch, one M4 mag pouch, and perhaps the helicopter aircrew breathing device pouch (HABD) that I am unsure was included.

 

[navyfamily]

Apologies for picutre orientation

[Crap Game]

I think I saw one complete set, NIB, made in the USMC Coyote Tan498 by SDS about 10yrs ago.    I dig the system, I think Ranger Regiment may have been issued one of each to be prepared for ANY climate.    Ryan Coffey-Tactical Tailor (RIP) grew his business big time doing padded shoulder harnesses for the RACK, that eventually became the MAV Modular Assault Vest.

Edit: Here's one that sold:

[milsurp_scout_14]

Were these IFAKs part of the RACK system? Have only ever seen them in DCU. Made by Federal Textiles, as marked on the bag. Got rid of this one years ago but I've always wondered.

[mohawkALSE]

No IFAK was part of it that I ever saw.   I just recall the leg pouch, 1 canteen pouch, PRC-126 and SABRE radio pouches besides the M4/M16 pouches and frag pouches.   I cant recall actually ever seeing any pics of the RACK being used.  I never saw one that had any contract info so if they were used they were a unit private purchase.  I recall when they first came out I believe around 2000 or so, I had wanted to get one from SDS but held off.  Then a few years down the road I found one cheap that came with a bunch of gear so I got it.  Was a later version Woodland with tan buckles vs black.  This is a pic I took not long ago after going through stuff in boxes.

[muddy boots]

You can find photos of the pouches in use easier than the Vests themselves.  By the time these were being introduced, a large amount of training was being done in body armor so it was easier to just attach the pouches directly to the armor once the old RBA was replaced by the SPEAR RBA.  The very first RACKs were made by Tactical Tailor for 2nd Ranger Bn.  They were not MOLLE compatible and had pouches directly sewn on.  Ranger Rgt like the idea, took it to Natick and the MOLLE RACK we know was born.  SDS picked up the contract and started making them.  SDS also sold them commercially.  The federal textiles vest might have been made for another gov contract, maybe for DOS to be used by foreign security contractors.  No idea but the quality of the Federal Textiles is much lower than the SDS vests.  I've never seen photos of Army personnel using the desert version.  I did have a photo awhile back of a Marine recon team equipped with the desert RACK.  I haven't been able to locate it since.  I'll post up some photos of my RACKs tomorrow.  Here's a few shots of them in use.  I think all these shots are from Afghanistan.

[Linedoggie]

Bought one from SDS in DCU back when we were at Hood getting ready to go to Iraq in 04. wearing part of it here.  Most of the time I kept the bib p[art folded away

 

 

[muddy boots]

Some of my RACKs.  

First is set up as a DA type rig.  FSBE MP5 and 1911 mag pouches, MICH Comms headset pouch as a GP pouch

the other two are set up with a mix of RACK and other pouches.  

 

[muddy boots]

Here are some Non SDS RACKs.  The first is a Blackhawk copy.  Blackhawk didn't just copy the vest but also sold copies of all the pouches.  They aren't to hard to distinguish from the SDS pouches because they are made from Nytaneon rather than Cordura.  The second vest is a Paraclete copy.  To my knowledge Paraclete armor only copied the vest and none of the RACK pouches.  I do recall Paraclete making a double magazine pouch similar to the RACK pouch but the shot shell loops were either on the flap or oriented horizontally on the body of the pouch.  These vests came as part of a full kit that included a suite of pouches, armor and a RACK and modified FLC as well as a ELCS style vest.  The third vest I believe to be a RACK made for the Marine Corps or a very early Army SDS RACK, this example is sterile.  I found a German site awhile back that discussed a RACK and FLC made specifically for Marine recon.  The RACK was virtually identical to the Army RACK except for the label.  The label on the Marine version was as shown and was sewn to one of the shoulder straps.  This vest is made of the early M81 cordura that was used on the original MOLLE I system.  I have one of the Marine recon specific FLCs and it is made from this same fabric.  The fourth vest is a version of the IRACK.  In 2004-2005, SDS launched a new line of products on the commercial market.  It was made up of a few packs and improved versions of the RACK and FLC, called the IRAK and IFLC respectively.  The IRACK pictured is a modified IRACK that I believe was submitted to the Marine Corps as an entry to one of the competitions the Marines held for a new load carriage system when they decided to drop MOLLE.  The vest is made of Cordura Nylon rather than the "brick" type nylon used in the commercial version.  The vest has a zipper on the front, offset to the side.  On the commercial version the zipper is exposed.  Also, the commercial version had shoulder straps arranged in the same configuration but they were not padded as they are in this example.

[muddy boots]

One last item.  I have only every run across one of these.  Here is a desert pop-flare pouch labeled as part of the RACK system.  I would have thought it was mislabeled but it specifically says RACK pop flare pocket-desert.  I think there may have been optional items in the system that could be ordered, much like the Spear ELCS had optional pouches that are extremely rare.

[muddy boots]

One more thing, just found a little online on the Marine RACK.  Apparently it was part of the early FSBE system and they referred to it as the Recon Assault Chest Kit.  This version came with two flotation inserts that went into the rear side pockets of the vest to help provide a little extra bouyancy.

[Linedoggie]

SDS, just realized one of the pouches was tan not camo, and a SPEC-OPS brand pouch

 

Map is Ft. Indiantown Gap Pa.

[muddy boots]

Finally found a photo of a RACK in use by a Marine.  You can just see a piece of the fabric of the vest above the first aid pouch.  It looks to be the shade of the early Cordura nylon used in the first gen MOLLE items.  That would make it one of the RACKs made for the early FSBE kits.

[muddy boots]

Ive managed to find a few more odd items that I believe are part of the Marine RACK system. These are items that would normally be part of the first gen FSBE but are marked RACK on their labels.  

[muddy boots]

One more thing here.  Awhile back I posted that Paraclete had made a RACK vest but had not copied any of the pouches.  I mentioned that Paraclete had made their own version of the RACK M4 mag pouches.  I finally got my hands on some.  Cool design, holds two M4 magazines and seven 12 Ga shot shells.  Back when these first came out, I seem to remember reading that the shot shells loops lost their elasticity pretty quickly.