I’m back on this horse after being off it for about 1.5 years or so.
At this point I’m looking for some m4 mag pouches that are hard like kydex yet attach by MOLLE.
What recommendations do you guys have?
Thanks
R.
ITW Fastmags are probably it.
Why do you want them to be plastic?
Something nylon like the HSGI TACO is probably more ideal.
Eagle M4 FB
http://www.skdtac.com/Eagle_M4_Single_Mag_Pouch_Molle_p/eag.232.htm
I’ll see if I can dig up a pic to replace the link.
I really like the FastMags, but the problem with them IMHO is that they are too wide and won’t fit right next to each other on a standard MOLLE panel. On my TT chest rig, I have to skip a loop between them. I haven’t tried the Eagle FBs, but I hear they’re great. I finally settled on EMDOM IAP’s. They are have a plastic hold-open insert at the top and elastic band at the bottom and are cost-effective at $25 each. Good retention, but you can still re-insert mags easily. I do run the FastMags on my belt, and they work fine for that.
I agree HMAC re: the fastmag. I also agree with orion that the HSGI Taco is the best thing going, and not just because it can take all kinds of magazines. They are what I’m using now.
I’ve been very happy with my ITW Fastmags, but the HSGI Taco does look interesting, and I like the idea of being able to use my belt with both AR and AK magazines. I didn’t have any problem putting two Fastmags side by side on a MOLLE belt, but I agree that on a chest rig or carrier it is a tight fit.
USGG and Eagle FB are very similar - if you find them used they’re probably worth buying up.
The TACO adds flexibility, and with the newer molded plastic C’s they’re pretty impressive.
Good point RE: USGG, and Rick they are in Miami.
I have two multicam USGG M4 mag pouches and they are very well made and functional. They’ve done well through a couple classes. I also have a Eagle FB pouch on the same belt and really like it, but haven’t fully tested it.
One advantage of the USGG pouch is that it has Molle on the outer surface. This allowed me to mount a BFG Boo Boo Pouch packed with a TK4 tourniquet, easily accessible on my left side.
the eagle FB pouch i had was tight with USGI mags and a no-go for pmags, or TD ARC mags. other than that, it worked well for USGI mags once it loosened up. i stopped using it since i use a mixture of mags; not only USGI.
All of my eagle pouches became more than serviceable with Pmags simply by leaving the Pmags in them for a week or two.
I’m off Pmags though now so that’s a non-issue. I’ve decided that for me it wasn’t the pouch that was the issue. 
My experience with FBs matches Rob’s – put Pmags in a sandwich bag, stuff 'em in the pouch, leave them out on the porch in the sun or just sit for a few days. Pretty much self-solving with simple use, too, and in such a way that one doesn’t lose anything in regard to retaining other mags, including the Troy ones.
However, the market has gotten bigger in regard to less-bulky, semi-rigid/kydex-assisted passive retention for magazines. Lots of great choices.
EMDOM IAP: http://prostores2.carrierzone.com/servlet/emdomusa/Detail?no=78
^^personal favorites, very like USGG in concept, though cut lower on the pouch and height-adjustable.
Esstac M4 Wedge w/KIWI: http://www.skdtac.com/Esstac_M4_Single_Wedge_Mag_Pouch_p/ess.102.htm
Without KIWIs, basically like many other bungee-topped pouches. With KIWIs, pretty well golden.
Tyr Tactical Happy Mag: http://www.tyrtactical.com/products/details/mag-rifle/5.56-happy-mag-with-kydex-insert/
No direct experience, but three guys I trust are using these. I asked each, and to my dismay, they’re probably still yammering on about them and haven’t even noticed that I’m not there any more…
Down Range Gear fitted rifle mag pouch: http://downrangegear.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/img_64211.jpg
All of this guy’s stuff is absolutely meticulous. VERY simple pouches that take up very little room ANYwhere, yet secure and can be refreshed one-handed.
Seconding/Thirding, etc the Eagle FB pouches. Every rig I own has at least two of them as my primary reload pouches.
If they’re a bit too tight just leave mags in 'em for a day or two and they loosen up without sacrificing their magical retention properties.
I ran PMAGs in 'em for many a carbine class and my reloads are still fast as stink out of those pouches.
Plus, they come in all the cool kid colors that you operational fashionistas want whether its Coyote, Ranger green or multicam…
Hey guys, thanks for all the great link.
I spoke to Robert from USGG yesterday. I’ll be stopping by his shop tomorrow on my way to pick up my M&P from Boresight Solutions. More than likely I’ll put the order in for his infidel war belt and a few pouches.
Ben also has a VTAC battle belt at his shop so I’ll have a chance to compare it to something else.
I like the idea of getting something local so any issues and I’m a short drive to the store.
R.
Ben has used both, so I’ll let him compare them for you, but the thing that really sets USGG belts apart is the liner belt that goes in your pants belt loops and really cinches everything up. I haven’t spoken to Ben about the difference in the belts but that one detail is the thing that keeps me using the USGG belt.
I find it very convenient that Robert and Ben have shops so close to one another.
I have a couple of the Eagle FB pouches, but actually prefer these:
http://prostores2.carrierzone.com/servlet/emdomusa/Detail?no=64
The Emdom pouches hold PMags (or any other) very securely, the flap is adjustable, it can be tucked/secured back and out of the way, and even when fully open, the pouch offers very good ‘passive’ retention. When you need it, the flap is there to secure the mags from jostling around, getting forced out, going upside down, etc.
Pat
I have to recant my experience with the IAP’s. Even after a lot of use, storing with mags inserted, over-stretching the elastic in storage, and even heat-gunning the plastic insert with a mag block in place, in practical application they were still just too stiff for easy removal without pulling up the entire chest rig. I found that to meet my particular needs I need easy removal and easy insertion far more than I need tight retention. I finally cut away all the elastic at the bottom of each pouch and that works better for me. That does make them a hair on the loose side for a lot of jumping or head-standing (neither of which is part of my shooting paradigm) but it was simple to weave some shock cord between MOLLE loops across the bottom of all four pouches on the vest and add a button-slider at the end so they can be tightened if I need it.
I’ve recently switched out my ITW FastMags for the HSGI Tacos so that I could use the same belt for different rifle platforms. So far, I’m pleased - the Tacos retain every AR or AK magazine I own. Speed seems comparable to the FastMag. They’re a bit of a pain to install, but I can’t think of any pouch that offers the same level of versatility.
That inner belt design was a big factor for me too. I even spoke to Ben about it and he agreed that it really does help to keep things from shifting. The other thing I liked about USGG’s over VTAC’s belt is the size or height of the belt. I was looking for something not too wide and the USGG belt fits that bill pretty well.
The only slight speed bump that I need to negotiate now is to figure out how to attach my Raven holster to the belt.
From what I’ve read, people are using zip ties, 550 cord and running the belt loops through the MOLLE to attach it. The only issue i can see is the time it might take to do this. I like efficiency in my gear now and that doesn’t seem to efficient at this point.
I really wish raven concealment would come up with a way to attach their holsters to MOLLE. I would jump on it.