So I recently bought HSGI’s War belt(hate that term) and will soon be ordering some Taco’s from them for mags. I’m going to order one Double Decker and use the pistol mag pouch for a Leatherman MUT but other than that I will run single pouches because I have yet to buy a pistol. The belt will be used for range practice plus varmint control on foot so I don’t have to carry ammo and havea good multi tool for whatever I need, this is not SHTF setup because I doubt the world is going to shit soon (it already has but thats another topic) and I’m not going to war. Also I plan on using this for some competition in the future if possible. So how many mags are you guys usually running and recommend? I do plan on having a bleeder pouch, small knife, flashlight and a small pouch for food or oil for my gun plus misc. tools and or parts.
Usually people either run 2 or 3 AR mags. Personally, I’ve found that 2 AR mags fit on my hip rather well and that if I run 3, I really have to start reaching back behind myself for that last one, especially when running secondary mags in front of the AR mags on the belt. And then that third AR mag starts encroaching on the dump pouch. But if you’re a bigger guy, 3 may be just fine.
The beauty of modular systems is just that. That they are modular. I say order two and if you feel that you would make use of a third, (don’t know why you’d need four mags for varmints… I think at that point I’d call some buddies for help), go ahead and order another.
As far as an IFAKs concerned, HSGIs Improved Bleeder/Blowout is a fine simple little pouch that’s certainly better than nothing, but it’s far easier to find the right equipment in your IFAK when it’s a simple clamshell on a Tear-Away Panel, instead of all flying out at you when you yank on a single pull strap. Just my two cents. I’d use the GP/Admin/Med pouch of your choice on a Maxpedition, Jones Tactical or Tactical Tailor Tear-Away Panel.
Knives and flashlights can go in your pants, but if you need some Kydex for a Surefire, Blade-Tech can help you out there. Their MOLLE-Loks are highly recommended.
There are a million GP pouches out there that could carry food, oil, tools, etc. IMO you’re probably better off with a backpack. But if you want an exact recommendation this fits most of my pliers, screwdrivers, a full allen set, etc. and it fits well on a 3-row MOLLE belt. You’ll need some short MALICE clips if you want it.
Sounds interesting and complex. You’re planning on very different tasks. I can tell you for compeitions and for taking “tactical” style classes I don’t carry much. I use a standard trouser belt made for CCW so it’s either double think leather or a Wilderness belt of 1.5" in width…:stop: I know, that doesn’t sound very tactical but it works for me… Then I add Raven Concealment holster for my pistol, two Raven pistol mag carriers and one Maxpedition rifle mag carrier. That’s it. I will also carry 1 or 2 more rifle mags in my rear pocket.
I’ve had bigger kit before, but decided that I really just didn’t need all the shit and I was better off with a lighter setup. I decided on the rear pocket setup because I figured I should practice that, since that’s where my reload would most likely be in a defense situation when I can’t put on a bunch of gear. If you’re serious about competition you can look around for specific 3-gun setups.
Yo probably want to take a look at the first line belt thread as most of your questions are answered there by a lot of people with a lot of time on these kinds of setups.
For your specific application and barring a pistol/holster need you may find a light chest rig to work better in combination with a single mag pouch on the belt as described above.
I use chest rigs and first line belts both and which I use is dependent on what I’m doing.