So I’ve spent (wasted?) some money on mag pouches for my battlebelt and I’m a bit underwhelmed by my choices so far.
ITW Fastmags, which are great on armor, don’t work so well on a belt because it causes the magazines to sit too high.
Tactical Tailor mag pouches, which are also ok on armor (they use bungee retention, so not very “high speed” in any meaning of the phrase) don’t work well on a belt as inserting a mag is nearly impossible one-handed. Like I usually rotate the belt to the front so I can use two hands to insert a mag, and that takes a bit of work too.
BFG ten speed pouches are also pretty ok on armor as it’s light weight and securely holds magazines, but it suffers the same problem as the TT mag pouches - insertion is extremely difficult on a belt.
So what I’m looking for is something that holds magazines lower than ITW Fastmags, aren’t bulky, and one-handed insertion isn’t impossible.
I don’t think that’s possible unless you add some kind of panel that lowers the kind of pouches you are talking about. Costa just released his drop leg panel that does just that. I’m sure you could thread that directly onto a belt.
I use one for my primary reload off my MOLLE belt. Retention is good, compatible with USGIs and PMAGs (both 20s ad 30s), drawing is smooth, and 1 handed insertion is a breeze. Can’t think of a downside.
Esstac Kywi pouches might be an option. They have standard and short models. I have both and have run them on a battle belt in the past though I do not current have a battle belt put together. The Kywi is held in the pouch by velcro and it does allow the height that the magazine sits at the be adjusted to some degree as well.
For the last 6-7 years, I’ve used the shortie DBT pouches on the belt. They were short enough to be able to clear. They are out of production now, but look close to the First Spear’s.
I also took to tipping them forward - angling - about 10 degrees. You can’t always do that on some belts and there are challenges in some prone-twisted positions, but that speeds draws and has always stayed secure. They had a sticky interior liner and retention bungees, which were great features.
When I need single AR mag pouches for duty gear or a riggers belt, I wear these. I can’t remember how high the ITW sit, but the above are compatible with my concealable and external armor.
They are NOT compatible with the TD ARC or Lancer mags, due to the external ridges on those. Slicker than snot with GI, and PMAGs to a slightly lesser extent.
Yes, they CAN work in other pouches. I got some how-to from Awwwbugman, who did exactly that; not sure if he’s still ditty-bopping around M4C or not.
I fed some into a TT and an ATS triple-shingle, each, and it’s been very effective. IOT make sure they fit, in the first place, you may need to cut them to make them shorter and/or narrower.
A pouch with a taped edge, the lip of the KYWI can be cut to butt up against that, IOT keep the thing from pulling out (I pulled the velcro off my KYWIs, used it for other stuff), and you can use ShoeGoo or similar to make that permanent. Otherwise, affix some small piece of velcro on the inside of the pouch. I can pitch photos, if they’re wanted.
I can’t talk too much about how great IAPs have worked for me on my belt without having it read like I’m a 13yr-old girl (ZOMG!!11!). Height-adjustable, easy one-hand mag insertion, firm retention despite the klutziest of spills, pratfalls, mishaps and other gravity-assisted gaffes…but they still pull easy. Really smart design.
USGG rifle mag-pouches are similar, though I think are made too tall and are less adjustable for ride-height. Good, tough kit, though.
I actually thought about that, and even though I’m sure the fastmag will retain a loaded mag upside down, I don’t trust I won’t hit something and knock them out.
Well also that there’s a bungee that makes removal a more time-consuming task.
The TT pouches are very tight as it is, I don’t think using a KYWI will work very well. However, I think I’m sold on the IAP! Thanks for the help everyone.
Your best bet are TACOs. I use them on my warbelt and a few on my PC and I haven’t looked back since. It would be nice if HSGI offered a version with a flap for non-emergency reloads. The universal design lends it self well for multiple types of mags.
I only use Fastmags, Esstac KyWi’s, and Taco’s. I use the Taco’s and tall KyWi’s on my plate carrier. For my belt I carry one Fastmag with a 20 round mag loaded with tracers (to guide fires from rotary wing during daytime), and one 30 rounder in the Esstac shorty kywi.
I love Taco’s, but the reason they don’t get used on my belt is because they can be tricky to reinsert the mag. The KyWi’s are as easy to reinsert as FastMags, making them probably the best choice for you. I also rock Lancer Mags and Pmags.
Stu at Esstac is awesome at helping customers find what suits their needs. Call him up. Look on youtube, there are tons of videos on their product. They even have a new pouch system for just regular belts. I use the Trim Bush chest rig and have their tall KYWIs on my war belt set up.
