So im signed up for a Pat Mac class next year (pretty stoked) and need to setup a back up belt/holster system. My primary rig will be my duty belt. My backup will be for my G23 w/ tlr.
Im thinking a double pistol mag and two rifle mag setup. Any suggestions for belts, holster, and mag holders?
Is it a pistol/carbine combo or just one?
For classes I like to run a little as possible. Use my pants belt for dump pouch, to hold my hsgi subload and a holster if I need it. I follow the idea of learning and practicing being two different things. I go to learn in class with what will get me by in class. I go home and practice what I learned in the class with either my duty gear or something very similar.
I just did a Pat Mac class two weeks ago so I can probably answer some questions.
You’ll be in for a good time.
Two day pistol/rifle. Im looking for a simple belt (riggers?) and kydex holster/mag holders
Ive used an Ares Aegis belt as the pants+Gear belt for several classes. And it’s useful as my everyday belt. Pick your poison on mag carriers. I don’t see a need to build a war belt-esque setup unless you really want one. Get a dump pouch. Even a cheap one. It’ll help when you have to carry 1-2 extra mags to the line or store the empties. You can easily do two mags (of each pistol and rifle) on the belt while on the line with his program and not fall behind.
Pat runs the most big-boy rules range I’ve ever seen. Out of ammo, fine, clear your gun and go reload. Want to haul your ammo can down to the firing line? Cool.
There was a Ronin belt with accessories posted on the EE earlier. If its your size, jump on that.
The AWS assaulter belt is an option, i’ve heard they make the belts for ronin but since they give you molle panels it’s easier to mount pouches than it is on the ronin. I’m still in the past with my HSGI belt but I like it.
Ive been meaning to pick one of those up. Also heard they make the ronin belts and the adjustable molle panels looks like a winner. The price is really good on those too.
https://www.awsin.com/products.asp?id=164
EDIT: I should have stated that my personal “training/battle/war/whatever belt” belt is a Volund Micro Battle Belt, the new V3 looks like their best one yet.
If you want super simple try TR Holsters.
http://trholsters.com/holsters/
They make the holster and pistol/rifle mag pouches.
I have a G19 and two double Glock mag pouches. Made from Kydex, tension adjustable and a darn good price. The quality is top notch also. You could wear these in a riggers belt or whatever belt you wear with your pants pants.
I used this setup until I set up a battle belt that works even better for me. (G-Code Operator belt)
But if you want simple - TR Holsters is it. Add a Tactical Tailor Dump Pouch and your gtg. Blue Force Gear also makes micro trauma that you can wear on your belt. If I had to do minimum, I would at minimum add a small ifak.
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I sold my HGSI Grip belts and went with the G-Code Operators belt. Inner belt w/Velcro and outer belt. Out of the belts and setups I’ve tried, this is hands down the best setup I’ve ever used. I even have other everyday wear belts that have Velcro on the outside so I can slap on the outer battle belt in a jif. And it stays in place no matter how much running and moving I do. But definitely a lot of good options out there.
https://www.tacticalholsters.com/product/contact-series-operators-belt-175/
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Run your class setup exactly as you would run your loadout if you were to actually use it.
Use the class to shake out any issues with your serious setup and find the weaknesses/flaws and know what to change.
the velcroed inner/outer belt setups are pretty great
Thanks Texan, just what I was looking for.
I’ll be running my duty setup (G35), however my backup will be my G23 thats my ccw/plain clothes gun. I need to get a simple setup just in case i need it (belt, kydex, etc)
That’s on point, to a point.
Shooting packages are a good way to shake out/validate your gear, but it’s also good to just focus on the shooting sometimes. It’s a balance.
For Pat’s standard 2-day rifle/pistol, I’d lean towards simplicity and comfort. You’ll do some reload drills, so you’ve got to have gear for that, but you may find a fully-loaded duty belt to be a distraction. You’ll leave that class with a lot of good ideas for drills and practice on your own, and that’s where I’d start adding in the duty gear and more. And for anything tactics-centric, then you’ve got to wear full kit.
Run your ccw gear for the G23. The first class I took was Pats 2 years ago with my ccw gear, m&p 9mm compact, RCS holster and pistol mag carriers along with a single HSG rifle taco for a spare ar mag. I was real intimidated when I first got to the range because everyone was wearing plate carriers or chest rigs with battle belts. It became apparent early on that gear doesn’t make the shooter and people would have been better served to have spent more money on ammo and range time to at least have their rifles zeroed. Just my 2 cents, use what you have. If you have a need/want for a battle belt and the like drive on by all means but I would suggest trying some of your friends or co workers gear out before spending your money. Its easy to get in very deep financially in gear that works but may not be perfect for you. Think about how many holsters you have tried till you got what you currently use.
I think this is a really good post.
Having been through one of Mac’s courses and several others now over the past 5+ years, your setup should match your goals for the course and your own experience level.
For me at this point, unless I’m training for something specific, when I do formal training I’m more focused on practicing basic skills and marksmanship and less worried about being geared up. Again, having good basic gear is important period but sometimes less is more. Having been through Mac’s class, if I was going again tomorrow, I’d still go the minimalist/comfort route. That’s just me.
Have fun. You’ll really enjoy Mac and the course.
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I ended up buying holster/mags holders from bravo conceament and an Ares ranger belt.
The range and gun shows are some of the most dangerous and terrifying places I have been to in my life.
With just about everyone and groups of ladies of easy virtue in Daisy Duke’s, if wearing anything at all, hitting, lasing and muzzle sweeping everyone, etc.
Depending on which part of your body you value most, I take the first or last stall, so at least one side of my body is protected!
You never know, just who is attending a class, etc., and in these times, etc. Unless I am mistaken, I doubt they wanted to look cool. If they were not training, the way they fight, i.e., suited up, etc… Then the plate carriers and body armor, were probably worn for protection, and in my view, more important than any other items you take. It’s also a classic instructor prank, etc., to ruin the set zero on all/some sights and optics, replace batteries with close to dead and dead ones, etc., when the students are told to exit the room, leaving all weapons, etc., behind…
I can assure you Pat Mac was not f-ing with peoples rifles. If I ever attended a class where "the classic instructor prank"went down as you speak, it would be the last time i wasted my time and money with them.
Pat Mac is NOT a classic instructor.
He needs no pranks to test or otherwise entertain students.
Re: Prank, etc.
I don’t know about Pat. Got this info from another training center. Some may consider it as a prank, but don’t forget the “etc.” part of it. Alleged, teaching students to adapt, etc.
Yes, someone fiddling with your gear, weapons, optics, etc., can be very dangerous. Just as real life can be very dangerous. Perhaps, it may be covered and hidden away in the policy waiver, etc., along with other terms and conditions, e.g., not touching (punching out, etc.) instructors…
In a real class, as any place else, you should be ready for anything.