There are no “right answers” when it comes to equipment setup. The most important thing is finding a setup that is effective for you and what works for one person might not work for another. However, it can be helpful to share general ideas and principles or specific tips/techniques when it comes to equipment setup since equipment configuration is a never-ending process and there is always a way to make your kit layout function a bit better. This first article in the Advanced CQB Equipment series covers some of the most basic concepts and ideas relating to kit layout.

Some tactical professionals and units choose larger caliber, higher-powered weapons because smaller rounds have failed to neutralize the threat in a combat situation. However, such choices always involve tradeoffs regarding factors like magazine capacity, weight, recoil characteristics etc. The question to our readers and contributors is "how important is stopping power" based on your personal experience and preference?