Any idea if the Eagle, DBT, or other kydex inserts would work installed in the pistol magazine pouches of this rig (tear apart a single stack .45 pouch, remove the kydex part, and drop it into the Eagle rig)?
As for drop pouches - my SKD version of it carries a 5.11/VTAC dump pouch, which works pretty nicely with it.
Hey guys,
I just received my Eagle/SKD Universal Rig (oops, actually I got it from Tim at PracticalTactical, so technically speaking, it’s not an “SKD”! Thanks TIM!)
Anyhow, I have a few, first-time-user-questions, if you guys could help me out here. As I said before, all the training I’ve done, has been with mags stuck in my Force 10 cargo pants.
Anyhow, here are my questions:
What are the four little “mini pouches” on the very front for? Is this supposed to be PISTOL mag pouches? Not the best size IMO, especially for slim, single stack pistol mags. (or are these for something else? DOUBLE stack pistol mags maybe?
What is the deal with the two outermost LEFT and RIGHT main pouches to the far left and far right? Why do they have that strap with buckle adjust on them, instead of the big flaps, as the two innermost main pouches do? Is there a reason for this?
What is the mag capacity supposed to be, for M4 mags? (both USGI and PMAGS)?? Is this pouch supposed to be capable of holding a total of 8 M4 mags? (two per main pouch?) Is this correct?
Is anyone here, who also has a slender, thin build like myself, actually taking the shoulder straps and CROSSING THEM in the back, to help keep the shoulder straps from falling off your shoulders?
I have already found this very comfortable, and much easier for me, but I’m not sure if it’s right or not? Anyone else doing this?
How do you guys prefer to orient your M4 mags in the pouches? Upside down? Spine of the mag body to your LEFT or to your RIGHT (when wearing the chest rig)
What about with AK mags? Do you orient them differently? Just wondering how you guys do it?
All I know is whomever it was that told us ealier that this chest rig would hold TWO AK Waffle mags in each pouch is either totally wrong, or has a different rig than I.
Thanks for any help with this guys. Anyone got pics of this rig while in action? I would like to see them. I will try to find some on the forum this evening.
Paul, glad you like it. Here are my replies:
The rig was originally designed for a specific mission…to carry M4 mags and Glock mags. They were originally sized for Glock 19 mags, but the flap was lengthened to accommodate Glock 17-sized mags.
Some folks use the outside pouches for pistol mag pocket. The two inner, main pockets, do not have any flaps for the M4 mags.
2 mags per pouch.
Yes, crossed in the back is the correct way.
I am left-handed, so mine are bullets down, pointing to the right. Allows for “beer-can” presentation. AK mags, same way. One per pouch.
Tim,
Thanks for the info. I did make a mistake in my questioning about the flaps. There are none on the main pouches. My fault.
In your reply above “bullets down, pointing to the right”.
What does “pointing to the right” mean? Did you mean “spine of the mag pointing to the right”???
Just making trying to clarify.
Thanks buddy. Will do business with you anytime.
Nope…just as I wrote it…mag goes into the pouch bullets down, with the tips of the bullets pointed to the right. Spine is on the left side.
As a Southpaw, I use my right hand to reload.
Yup, gotcha. That’s what feels best to me too.
I shouldn’t have asked about the M4 mags. I was mainly concerned with the AK mags, as the sharp steel lug on them posed a slight concern about tearing during insertion. Cordura is tough stuff though. Should be fine.
Thanks.
Actually, I take that back. AK mags, the 2 times I ran them, were bullet up, points left/spine to the right. I had to go put it on and try it to make sure.
Yes, that sounds much better for the AK mags. I have decided on the exact method, with the exception of bullets pointed to my RIGHT, due to me being a right hander…
Even for bigger folks (6’2", 210), the straps have to cross in back to be comfortable.
I run the same magazine configuration of 8 (beer can presentation - very fast with ranger plates).
I’ve had some limited success trying PMags with the feed lip covers installed - they’d strip off as I removed the magazine from the rig -but I’ve dismissed the concept outright. There is a seam that the AK magazines could potentially hang up on inverted, but since the fastest reload is a top side grab anyway, 4x1 works.
I guess this question is for TimW:
Is a version of this configured for SS .45 magazines plausible? With an elastic keeper or divider on the front pouches to retain magazines (if same size pouch, holding two magazines - tried it: tight fit, works somewhat, but no retention after pulling first magazine)?
I like being able to keep a flashlight and a multitool in a pair of those, but I’d like to bring along 4 1911 magazines…
The answer is always “yes”, but the question becomes “How much?”
This rig was designed by Paul Howe and made by Eagle. SKD’s version removed the radio pouches on each end and replaced them with MOLLE webbing. Eagle also lengthened the flaps for the pistol mags. That’s where we are today.
Anything like what you want will either need to be custom done, or something that Eagle decides to incorporate as a product-improved version and not anything that I can just call in and have done.
I’ve heard that SKD has a new version coming out, but not sure when, nor do I know what the improvements/changes will be.
Paul-
I can’t add much to what Tim said as he did a VG job in his explanation but I would expect nothing else. I will share after seeing Paul’s proto. in late 2004, I received one of the early
(non SKD) gen. 1’s from Eagle in '05. My pic. below can best explain how Paul helped me to configure it originally. You’ll note the 2 outermost pockets (for MBITR radios) are utilized
for water left & G30/X300 right. Mini aid/med kit next on the left, then 30rders. across. Have tweaked it plenty since the last pic., dropped the micro-tool for another pistol mag., ditched the
VFG & folder & replaced w/ a Strider DB-L outside the water pocket. Something I can grab & throw on over my PC. Also note that I’m a lefty like Tim w/ the AR, HG though on the right or a
cross dresser as Paul likes to call me.
HTH & just my .02 worth.
Agile53
Cool thanks for the pic Agile, but what is that large black “stick” that protrudes out of the rig? Looks like some kind of knife, but certainly doesn’t look like a Strider fixed blade?? What is that?
Looks like a knife of some sort.
Looks like a Hissatsu to me.
Correct Buckshot TX it is an Hissatsu. As mentioned in the original post, I’ve reconfigured it several times since that pic. The Hissatsu, folder, VFG, & Leatherman are gone w/ a Strider taking the other 2 knives place & another HG mag. replacing the multi-tool.
I recall Jeff Gonzalez say @ a class last year how he enjoy’s reconfiguring his kit occaisionally. Looking back now, I can appreciate what he was saying.
Going to get some training in tom., will try & take a current pic. w/ the cell but no guarantees on the quality.
If I were to venture a guess:
split covers for the pistol pouches
shock cord retainers for the rifle mags
non-padded straps
Hmm. Sounds like you’ve got a little inside info, and this is more than just a guess? 
Anyhow, what exactly does “split covers for pistol pouches” mean???
Never heard of that before.
I have one more issue I need to get cleared up guys.
Can anyone here tell me if S&W M&P45 mags will fit properly/snugly into the existing pistol mag pouches on this rig? I really need to figure this one out.
I’ve never owned any handgun other than a 1911 in years, and I am about to purchase an M&P 45, and I need to determine IF I will have to buy seperate pistol mag pouches for this rig, to fit the M&P 45 mags???
Thanks for any help guys.
Hey guys, I have been looking for some info on buying shock cord and other strapping materials to do some mods on a couple of my rigs. Can anyone tell me were is a good source for these items? Cords, straps, clips, etc?