Pistol mag pouches for skirmishing

[juicy]

Any input on what I should use/get?

I've been considering molded plastic/kydex ones, like the Blackhawk ones, as these will allow me to quickly index a magazine when needed. However, I'm a little concerned about having magazines falling out or getting snagged. Snap-button ones are the next option for me, as the velcro strips on most mag pouches drives me nuts and I would like to avoid these if at all possible. Likely, I will be mounting the pouches on a belt, rather than a MOLLE vest/chest rig. Knowing me, I'll want to carry somewhere between 3-6 spare magazines. Triple MOLLE pouches are plentiful and easy to find at good prices, however, they have velcro and I find that they don't mount as snugly as a strictly-belt-mounted piece of gear to a 2" duty belt.

[The Saint]

I also did not like velcro or anything else getting between me and a pistol mag, since you tend to need those things in an awful hurry.

I used the kydex ones for about a year without losing any mags, Bladetech specifically. You can tighten them down quite a bit. Once I got used to it, I was more worried about grit or water getting into the mags if I went prone or if it rained.

[CDN_Stalker]

Molded plastic/Kydex ones are typically friction fit, but I could be wrong. I've got a Blackwater one and it holds anything, from my G19 mags to my MK23 mags, some higher levels of tightness than others.

[juicy]

Okay, thanks. Yes, I'm aware that most use friction to retain magazines, but I just wanted to hear for sure that they're able to retain magazines through various movements and such.

As to dirt/water and the likes, due to the magazine holders using friction, this would not in any way affect the drawing of magazines would it? I guess the elements might just screw around with the metal of the mags, rubber seals and/or the valves.

[CDN_Stalker]

Well, the Blackwater one I have has a ) shaped section of it that presses against the mag body.

Now that I think of it, there is a brand of gear whose name escapes me, Pantac or something, I have a couple dual mag pouches, and they have removable flaps and hold mags tightly flap on/off. They hold my G19 mgs nicely, friction fit.

Anyways, friction fit is mostly due to pressure, not just relying on friction itself. Wet, greased or dry, pressure holds them in place.

[juicy]

Perfect. Thanks stalker.

[Skladfin]

Originally Posted by juicy

Okay, thanks. Yes, I'm aware that most use friction to retain magazines, but I just wanted to hear for sure that they're able to retain magazines through various movements and such.

As to dirt/water and the likes, due to the magazine holders using friction, this would not in any way affect the drawing of magazines would it? I guess the elements might just screw around with the metal of the mags, rubber seals and/or the valves.

Juicy have you been to a game yet(With your pistol)?

The best advise I can give you is to understand how you play(or "fight", to be a little more specific and epic). By understanding how you deal with situations, you can better understand what kind of kits you need.

For example, say you are the sneaky type. Being a sneaky guy, you may have to detour around the field to flank an enemy position without being seen or heard. In the process, you may or may not encounter obstacles such as river, heavy foliage, pond, mud, or et cetera. Water will render your hop up useless, and throw off your aim. Mud will jam the mechanical components, and cause major malfunctions in your gun(Because remember, whatever object that sticks onto your magazine will also go into your gun when the gun is fired). Foreseeing these obstacles, it is wise to choose a pouch that can protect your magazines from foreign objects. These would be Velcro-ed pouches, as it can shield most outside substance from making contact with the magazine. But it will slow down your reload by a second or two having to flip up the Velcro.

Now on the other hand, if you are one of those Chris Costa assault types that tackles enemies head-on with high speed movements, you can't afford to lose even a single second on reloading. Then you would purchase friction based mag pouches. Since you will not expecting to struggle your way out of rivers and bushes, you will not need to worry about(or not as much as other situations) the magazine making contact with foreign substances. Unless you go down to prone or the similar.

In MY experience, I have had a few occasions where I really wished I could have my mag inside my gun even a single second earlier. However I've had more times thanking my Velcro for protecting my magazine from mud and water than the former. But to remind you again, this is MY experience, you and I may not engage in a firefight the same way.

It wouldn't really be worth the money if after you purchase it, you don't make very good use of it

[juicy]

Oh, I see. Thanks for that, Skladfin. Yes, I've found that crouching/going prone seems to be the best way to stay out of sight. The last day I was out, grit and moisture found its way into my USP - not to mention that the temperature might have been a tad low for GBB's.

Of those two extremes that you mentioned, I'd fall closer towards the type that prefers to NOT engage enemies head-on; rather, trudging through bushes seems to be more of what I've been doing. For this reason, and thanks to your advice, I guess I'll be sticking to pouches with some sort of flap. Maybe I'll pick up a cheapo ACM clone or something just to try it out in the field one day - though my first few dozen reloads were performed with a KSC Glock, three mags, and kydex gear to hold all of that and consequently, I feel more at ease with having no velcro or flaps to undo.

[CDN_Stalker]

In that case I prefer (and run all the time), flap covered mag pouches for my mags. When it's something indoors or there is no chance I'll be crawling or going prone, I'll flip the covers back and leave the bases exposed for fast reloading.

Keep in mind though, flap covered mag pouches won't keep water out, and often won't keep sand or dirt out, they are meant for retention only, not for sealing in.