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Steel,
Here is the link to the choice of vests I am considering. Needless to say there are many factors involved in how I got to this shortlist. I already think I know which one I want to buy, and am looking at basically hearing a few opinions on which choice of the selection would be their choice and why. I'm not rushing out to get it as soon as I get you all choosing it - am just putting together my wishlist for June/July when Kerrie lets me have a few select items for the meet in August (flexible date).

http://www.lightfighter.com/generic24.html

Then simply navigate to the assault vests, the shortlist is:

Eagle TAC-V1-N-A
Eagle TAC-V1-NU-A
Eagle TAC-V1-N-B

Black Hawk Industries CrossDraw Vest
Black Hawk Industries Operator Vest

For Operators Vest, do you mean the D.O.A.V.? If so, out of all of them that is the one I would get...

I could not find the B.H. Crossdraw vest, at least not under Assault vests.

Second choice would be the TAC-V1-N-B.

Oh right, that one might have been a little dodgey! To see the BH vests you have to look under BH Omega vest choice, and they are both there.
Mainly what I am looking at, is if someone considers it more useful to have more ammo pouches or if a sidearm holster is preferable.
The manin reason for looking at assault vests, is that I already have "90" pattern webbing system (issued), I have all the combat clothing I need, hell at the mo I could even just use my standard issue Brit Kevlar, Northern Ireland gloves, boots . . . . yadda yadda yadda - so my purchase priorities are somewhat different to other people as I have mostly what I need (not what I want mind you!)
My personal preference is to go for an assault vest / patrol backpack combination. So maybe you can see what angle I have on this.
On another note, for anyone looking for something that can truely "hack it", there is nothing quite like the old "58" pattern Brit-issued canvas webbing. I don't think there is a piece of webbing as tough as that even today,it does need some serious titivation to make it really comfortable in use, and there are endless possibilities to add-on these days - most of us used to modify the webbing extensively, adding our own little creations.
I have a few websites for your perusal for kit, and they are UK sites - give you an idea what sort of money we have to pay to get goochie decent kit for ops & operational tours:

http://www.militarykit.com/
http://www.tacticalfootwear.com/
http://www.sass-kit.fsbusiness.co.uk/

I can find some more, these are the most reputable though, and if you decide on something or find a piece of kit which you want to buy, DO ask for my opinion, I have personally been to most of these shops, and bought equipment of some sort and know what the kit REALLY looks like, and what kind of quality you're talking about. Ther are also, general opinions of certain bits of kit, such as Pro Boots - these are considered army wide to be the best extreme condition assault boot available (bearing in mind we live in the things almost daily in all situations / conditions, so it's not like those who wear them don't know what they are talking about), that would be money well spent! But they are expensive, until that moment you are sat out in a field somewhere saying " Am I glad I'm wearing these damn things!" Here's another one:

http://www.stringtownsupplies.co.uk/