** Prepair for old man, old timey story **



It’s not as bad as you may think.

I was a cop when we transitioned from revolvers to semis. When carrying a revolver, the reloads were always strong side, as you were using your off side hand to eject empties, and grabbing your speed loader with your strong hand.

When we went to semis, I kept my mags in front of my pistol horizontal. It worked very good!  The magazine bottoms were nearly at your centerline, which made them accessible with either hand. Which was ok, because we had to do off hand shooting / reloading during qualification.  

All that being said, I have since moved my mags to off side, near the centerline of my body, for no real reason.

Changed lights on my M&P so I need to replace the holster.  I use the Safariland QLS setup and have an ALS holster for my 1911, but finding one for the M&P without the SLS hood has been difficult.

You guys that use the SLS do you like it?  And how is the function and appearance of you remove the hood?

Pretty sure they have ALS without SLS for the M&P:

https://www.galls.com/photos/documents/sizing/Safariland_Duty_Holster.pdf

I love it. Can't tell a difference in speed between SLS/ALS and just ALS, but the extra security is nice for sure. If you do want to remove it, it's just a couple screws and it's gone without effect to the rest of the holster or its function.

The pistol is a backup. There are greater concerns than getting OCD about a timed pistol reload. That said, there is always room for improvement and I'm open to suggestions.

A higher priority is the TQ. I can reach it with either hand where it is, but it's not ideal. Think I'll try putting it on the PC.

Shit piles up...mostly AR setups with a few "subgun" setups, a .308 belt and a couple built for AKs.  




Just ordered a role of 75 feet of the Velco OneWrap as the usual MALICE clips really suck.  Oh, I've pretty much migrated the majority of my holsters for QLS...all of my belts now have them.  

ROCK6

Use a 6360 everyday, love it. When it comes to retention holster the Safariland is the way. Is it a 2.0? What light are you using? Be advised the 2.0 used a different holster than the original M&P.



Since this is a pic thread here is the belt kit I’ll use most of the time.



Glock 19, X300U-A in the OG 500 lumen flavor, Benchmade Griptilian, TRex Ragnarok, old school Tactical Tailor double mag pouch, 1110 ETAK IFAK, a tan SOFTTW, and my everyday Bullhide belt.

I started this idea after realizing as much as I prefer the IFAK on the PC, it’s more practical if I can have it with me all the time. The idea here is if the kit is compact enough to keep in my daily backpack it will be in a position to be used rather than hanging on my PC stand. I set everything up to be threaded onto the trouser belt. The Ragnarok is a really nice holster, no retention but it’s compact and puts the handgun in a nice position for the draw. The holster and UBL have a QLS on them so swapping to a higher retention holster is quick and easy. The TT mag pouch was an in store special about a decade ago. I picked up 3 in khaki for $10 each. The pouch has polymer clips inside that retain the mags. Overall it seems to work very well. Way lighter and less bulky than a dedicated belt setup. I’m going to see if I can use a Coyote RATH between the tear away IFAK. If not the Tourniquet will just go in a pocket.

This is not an original idea. I randomly ran across a video from Garand Thumb on YouTube and had a moment of enlightenment especially since I wanted to make the IFAK more practical for daily carry and use.




I did modify a pair of Malice clips for belt use for this application as One Wrap isn’t conducive to being threaded onto the belt. With the clips tucked under the webbing they don’t seem to create a hot spot.

Nice. Reminds me of the setup I was running on my last deployment when I wasn't in full kit everyday.

This has probably been discussed, but with the inner/outer velcro belts, what do you do when it's cold and you're wearing jackets and stuff? Just tuck it all in and loosen the belt a bit? Or am I missing something?

In the winter I would use just the outer belt and wear it on top of all my outer garments. It rarely required any adjustment but if I needed to let it out a bit I could.

I use the HSGI slim grip pad to give the belt some sticking power against my clothes and to cover the hook velcro on the outer belt. If your outer belt has loop velcro this isn't necessary.

Not a bad idea. So you just place the outer belt over the slim grip pad?

@LFC2112  On my MOLLE belt, I have the spare mag in front of the holster (right side). Even with armor on, I can still reach it with my support hand without issue. The reason I have the pistol mag on the same side as the holster is that I have a three rifle mags on the left- 9, 10, and 11 o'clock- with an admin pouch spanning the surface of those rifle mag pouches.

My needs may not be your needs. And weight should be on your hips, not your shoulders.

nm... found answer

Hahaha...yeah, I saw how to do it, just haven't done it yet.  I have a couple of slim belts it could work on....we'll see how it does.  

ROCK6

I apologize, its not a slim grip pad. I have the micro grip belt panel; same neoprene liner, but this one velcroes directly to my outer belt.

The PC is a good place to put TQs. However, if you anticipate ever wearing your belt on its own without your PC, then there should be a TQ and other basic medical stuff on the belt.

That looks perfect. I'm gonna snag one.

I won't be wearing one without the other.

Oh yeah I just meant hard to find just the ALS version on the used market, no need to pay retail for my range warrior use on something as durable as a Safariland.

@jonathon

Yeah it is the 2.0, good to know on the holster fit, hoping with the adjustability it’ll still work.

Switched from the 1.0 FS 40 with an Inforce APL to the 2.0 Compact 9mm with TLR-7A.

Had been using just a regular kydex holster with the QLS setup on it, and a 1911 with the ALS as my other setup.

For long duration hiking, sure. But moving a few rifle mags to your chest would be a big improvement in how well your gear works.

I'm having a hard time imagining what your needs are, or what operational constraints you're under, that you need all that ammo but also can't wear a PC or chest rig with your belt.

Do you also have a plate carrier that's so stuffed with mags that you need to use your belt to make room for all the mags you need?

Telling me weight carried on shoulders is superior to carried on hips destroys your credibility. This conversation has ended.

4 mags reside on my pc. 240rds rifle cartridges total on my person and weapon. Again, I'm not wearing one without the other.

Most of my military buddies complain about weight hanging off their shoulders and want to move more to their belt line. Most of my cop buddies complain about weight on their hips and are desperate to move as much as policy allows to load bearing outer vests. It doesn't seem like there's a universal answer, other than everyone hates issued gear and policy.

Ok. So basically you have a lot of mags and have decided to move some of them to your hips for easier weight carriage.

I see the logic there. But I would reconsider whether you really need that many mags. And if you do need that many mags, it's probably for defense of a static position, in which case they may not even need to be physically on your person at all.

I suspect a lot of that has to do with your military buddies tending to walk long distances with their gear in the woods or deserts, while your cop buddies are tending to get in and out of vehicles and other tight spaces common to urban settings where stuff easily snags on things.

One groups needs to carry a lot of stuff and stand around in it or walk with it a lot in wide open spaces, and the other group doesn't need to carry a lot of stuff or stand around and walk long distances but deals with cramped spaces. Weight vs volume concerns.

I suspect a lot of those injuries to police are because they spend so much time sitting in cars. Having loads of stuff bulging out of your belt probably forces you to sit at awkward back angles.

Maybe he's anticipating spending more time hiking around in the woods instead of being in and around vehicles?

HSGI Slim Grip Belt Panel Liner

Two votes for that. It's on its way!

It has a lot more to do with the weight resting on the hips, and the load co pressing and decompressing the joints and nerves because of it.

I have 19 and 24 degree femoral junction deviations, and its from having (admittedly) retarded amounts of weight resting on hips.
And I spent the vast majority of time in that gear walking.

I'd be interested to know how the load compresses vertebrae while resting on your hips. So would pack manufacturers.

I'd also be interested in knowing how putting more weight up high makes for a balanced load when pack manufacturers recommend loading a pack with heavier objects as low in the main compartment as possible, to help create a more balanced load.  Everyone here should be familiar with the term, "center of gravity".

I have never once heard of putting heavy stuff low in a pack. The advice I've always heard and followed is heavy goes up near your shoulder blades and as close to your back as possible.

A pack inherently creates a moment rotating down and away from your spine. Weight down low is worse and would require you to lean really far forward to compensate. Weight high and tight only requires a small lean forward.

Note that GLR made no mention of vertebrae in his post, he was talking about issues at his hip-femur joints.

IIrc, leg and hip problems arise from carrying heavy loads over time using internal frame packs. I switched to an external frame pack and life became much easier.

To clarify my point on load balance. Heavier items should be close to the body, and relatively low. That would be on top of the sleeping bag which should fill the bottom of the pack. Having the weight high forces you to lean forward, makes traveling over rough ground more difficult, and is more stress on the body when recovering from  a near fall such as a trip. Skiing downhill in ungroomed and varied condition snow with a heavy load is difficult enough, I wouldn't have wanted to make it worse by placing weight higher.

It's a distribution solution.  But yes, heavier weights in your pack should be closest to your back; that's more for maintaining a better center of gravity for balance.  Vertical location really depends on the weight itself.  To low, and you're spot on about the affects.  Too high and it will affect your balance as well.  I've found the best results for me are to to keep the heaviest weights right at or just below my shoulders.  



This.  I think many are conflating the two, but they have different aspects and once you start to look at mission sets and operating procedures between LE and Military, there are other differences.  

I’ve done my share of learning here as well.  For regular backpacking, and I do a lot of longer-distance backpacking (100-150 miles), the recommended hip to shoulder ratios for weight-distribution are from 60-80% on the hip verse 20-40% on the shoulders.  That doesn’t necessarily cross over to an unsupported battle belt.  And yes, a 40 pound pack is going to carry and balance much more different than a 40 pound plate-carrier setup.  A pack will stabilize the weight in a more vertical position on your hips and the suspension is designed to keep it relatively stable.  An unsupported battled belt doesn't have that additional structure.  Yes, your hips can the majority of the weight load, but it also becomes a balance issue, especially when you are doing more active than static drills.



A standalone battle belt, plate-carrier rig, and assault pack are all going to wear differently, have different effects on balance and mobility, and their weight distributions will all be different.

What I’ve personally found is that you’ll hit a tipping point where your standalone belt becomes too heavy and cumbersome and difficult to wear for extended periods if doing dynamic activities (vice sitting in a vehicle).  Yes, you can add suspenders to help, but that becomes a different setup altogether IMHO.  Many who like a slim-downed belt often integrate with a plate-carrier.  I simply can’t (more like won’t) wear a pack without a proper hip-belt when hauling weights more than 20-25 pounds (more of an age thing).  So if I wear a belt with a pack, it’s a light pack.  

Lastly, there’s a difference in doing a leisurely patrol in the forest vice tight maneuvering in an urban/home setting as well as differences in how much your activities involve getting in and out of a vehicle.  A bulky, heavy belt will suck in the latter two.  Seriously, put on you kit and climb in and out of your vehicles window, home window; crawl under a vehicle; keeping a low profile, climb into the bed of a truck and over the other side; stay low and move under a large window to stay out of sight; low/high crawl; do a few 100 meter sprints; etc. etc. etc.  

I know it is cliché, but match your kit to your activity and train accordingly.  My belts have progressively become slimmer and lighter the more I train with realistic, dynamic drills involving more tight, home-defense settings.  I prefer that setup as I can always put a more capable plate-carrier on (verse a slick carrier) to increase my capabilities, but I train to match my kit to my missions.  You can use want you want as long as you’re comfortable with it and you actually train with it.  I have some kits that look great on Instagram or in the mirror, but suck after 30 minutes on a dynamic range.  YMMV

ROCK6

From a carpenters viewpoint, a heavy tool belt sucks ass.
Climbing around, hauling materials, bending down and moving all day, really makes you change your tools real quick.

Certain jobs dont need certain tools, ready on hand. So they dont go in the bags. Sometimes its unavoidable and you're so loaded down with screws/nails and tools, that 8-10 hours later getting up from the couch is painful.

I've only been at it 6 years, and after some weeks i dont know how my body is going to make it 30 more


With that said, my battle belt, which is honestly a range toy for me, is kept pretty lightweight. After wearing bags all week, I dont want a heavy ass belt at the range.

It seems like it. I've not done enough movement under load to know, so the goal has been trying to learn from the pain of others.




Yup. My gear has mainly been used for competition shooting, which is 2-4 minutes of activity between lots of standing around and some more mild activity in between. Most classes are pretty similar, at this point I think I've optimized for standing around pretty well.

Curious how adjustable the blue alpha belts are. I'm a 32/33 in jeans and just snagged a 36 for a really good price used. Looks like they have some adjustability. Wondering if anyone else has been in the same boat. Worst case blue alpha has a resize service.

They have a sizing chart on their website that shows the range of adjustability for each size.

Gen 3 GLOCK 34 with Safariland/nub mods, KYWI pouches, Blue Alpha, kit has israeli compression bandage, celox rapid gauze and TQ on the front.
Nothing you guys ain't seen a million of in these threads.  

Yeah I had looked that up but wondered if there was anyone with real life experience with it. Guess I'll find out eventually. Thanks

Got any pictures with it layed flat? I've got a mc belt on the way and want to see how it will look with rg shit on it

I used to be lot bigger, and I got a good 4" more of taking in room on my BA MOLLE belt than they said it would before it just hit a brick wall. Can't tell you for sure if your size 36 will work the same way, but I strongly suspect you'll be able to take it in at least 2" more and have it still work.