Shit I'm blanking right now but it's something like full north concepts or north face concepts or something.

@infamous knows what I'm talking about

True north concepts?

Yes
With the safairland plates

Thanks, I appreciate that.

Belt does well without suspenders, owing to it's tighter fit and relatively light weight. As long as you don't intentionally load it down with an unusual amount of stuff (i.e. 4-5 loaded mags in the canteen/utility pouch and another 4-5 mags in the dump pouch) it does just fine. I've used it for range time, Run & Gun, and a few courses. If I need extra mag capacity, it pairs well with a chest rig.

@SuperStormBryan

Just to clarify: it’s the Safariland QLS system that allows you to quickly swap out holsters. Each one will need its own QLS fork to interface with a QLS receiver and some type of mount attached to your belt. And you aren’t limited to mounting the QLS receiver to a True North Concepts MHA; you can use a Safariland UBL Mid Ride or any number of other products.

I just have two belts one for Glock one for 2011, but the guys that rock QLS seem to very much love True North from my experience.

Yes. I have two belts for 9mm guns and one for my 1911s, and a bunch of random belt mounts for Safariland.  Being able to switch is nice af.

AWS SMU with Esstac Kywi, G-Code Scorpion Rifle, AWS dump pouch, LBT 9022 IFAK, 1110 TQ pouch, AWS multi-tool pouch, and a Safariland UBL with QLS. Holster is a US Duty Gear US-80. I have multiple Safariland holsters I swap onto this using the QLS system. It's pretty slick.

Depending on what you are doing maybe a Crye Gun Clip?

Thanks guys. I'll do some research tomorrow. Also have a question about a g code at mag pouch i have but I'll get pic tomorrow

Inserting a pistol mag makes the baseplate flush with the bottom of the grip.

Inserting a rifle mag it's jutting out a ways.

It's not backwards if you know what you're doing.

Objectively backwards. The rounds face the rear of the body - this is what I meant. Pistol rounds point forwards and rifle rounds point rearwards. They’re opposite. That was my question. I didn’t imply right or wrong.

Yall got real butthurt my personal orientation of my mags is different and I asked why people prefer it. It’s kinda weird.

I’ve run my mags both orientations, I found one I liked. I’m genuinely asking why some people like having them opposite. Some of you answered me, some got butthurt.

Do you even ergonomics bro?

Yea, I run all my mags, pistol and rifle, facing rearwards. Like I said, I’m faster that way. And I like having one movement for both the pistol and rifle. I’ve already said I might be autistic in that sense. Running pistol mags facing forwards is awkard for me.

You do you, but maybe get an instructor to check out what you are doing. The techniques we are talking about are fairly settled, kinda like football should spiral when you throw it...

Sorry for the crass replies.

The reason why people have pistol mags with bullets forward is to speed load the magazine into the grip of the pistol. You reach for the mag with your thumb and fingers so the palm is right above the baseplate. As the mag is removed, the index finger slides down the front of the mag. The wrist then rotates the mag to point up (bullets still facing forward) and the index finger is a "touch guide" for the mag. As soon as it feels the front of the magwell, the top of mag is already inserted so the fingers relax and the palm drives the mag the rest of the way home.

It is quite fast - believe me.

Rifle mags are inserted using a "beer can" grip and the whole arm rotates the magine to the upright position and inserted into the magwell.

Thanks for the rundown. I’m not the best at explaining things, so I’m not going to try and breakdown my body movements like you just did here. But for my pistol reloads, I still index my index finger to the tip of round/mag, but instead of a twist, I just bring my arm straight up into the magwell.

I am taking a course next weekend for pistol and rifle. It’ll be an NVG class too, so that will help me stress test myself. It’ll be the 6th class I’ve taken outside the Army. I will check with them to see what they think. So far, the instructors I’ve worked with haven’t mentioned anything about the way I run my pistol mags as being a detriment to speed - and they’re not random yahoos. I’ve tried both, and am open to trying it again. I’m just surprised that none of the instructors have tried to get me to switch if it’s a substantial difference.

Not butthurt, just making a simple statement man.  It can be hard to tell tone here occasionally so no worries

The reason pistol magazines are oriented differently than rifle magazines is because you use two different grips to perform those two reloads -this is due to the size difference in pistol magazines/rifle magazines and additionally, location.  Pistol magazines are usually closer to your centerline, whereas rifle magazines tend to be closer to your side.  This is why when you see someone wearing a plate carrier, rifle magazines tend to go the opposite way - they are now centerline, and your grip to access them will change accordingly.

From the gun belt:

For a pistol reload: as you grip your magazine your index finger should lay along the front of the magazine, in line with the tip of the exposed round, with the rest of your fingers grasping the baseplate/exposed portion.

For a rifle reload: Generally, since your have to reach back a little further, you will utilize a "beer can" grip, and as you bring the magazine up to the magwell, you will be able to depress the bolt catch with your thumb as you complete the reload (on an AR15 or rifle with similar manual of arms).

Lastly, none of these things are completely written in granite - you may see variations depending on instructor or course, but they are generally agreed upon as being a solid way to ensure your are setting up the proper foundations for consistency and speed.

Esstac Ranger Green Shooter's belt: Eagle M9 FB pistol pouches, USMC Speed Reload M4 pouches, GI IFAK, CZ P10C w/ TLR1-HL in Safariland 6360-2192 on UBL w/TekLok. (I've since added a CAT in a cheapo stretchy velcro Amazon holder.)

Ricon Tactical Woodland belt: Eagle M45 FB pistol pouches, Esstac 7.62 KYWI, SR1911 10mm in Safariland 7378 on modified UBL w/TekLok. (No IFAK yet but I've added a CAT to this one too, also in a stretchy Amazon velcro thingy. Not sure what I want to go with for an IFAK on this belt. Thinking LBT 9022.)

I love the FB pouches and the Speed Reload rifle pouches. Not as sold on the Esstac pouch, but I'm trying to like it. All of the pouches are one-wrapped.

5.11 Instructor's belt: Henry S1 mag carrier, P365 in StealthGear Ventcore holster. (Since changed to a P365X in a Crossbreed Rogue.)
I'm on the hunt for a new EDC belt. Looking for a 1.5" on the more rigid side. The velcro on the 5.11 is worn out (12 years old.)

I use the QLS on the Safariland UBL's. The True North looks nice but is too expensive when it doesn't do anything the UBl doesn't do.

*Edit*  Had something posted here, but decided i wasn't happy with it.. TBD**

What width of one wrap are you all using for your pouches?

1in iirc.

Yep

if you want it to be tighter you can get 1.5 and cut it for an exact fit. Thats what I did.

M81 belt I’ve been piecing together. I grabbed a couple pieces from Templar’s Gear to try out since they have most everything they make in M81.

HRT arc belt
HRT arc pistol mag pouch with 30 deg adapter
JSTA with unobtanium sleds insert and tracer viper adapter
Templar’s rifle mag pouch
LBT ifak
Templar’s dump pouch
Safariland ubl
Templar’s TQ pouch

A man of culture

I tried kiwis. I tried elastic. None work as well. Sleds is the way.

Bullet orientation

@CJ47

I appreciate your willingness to help. I can’t see it because I dont have Insta. I’ve talked with some more people about the pistol mag orientation, and most everybody is rounds forward. I’m playing around with it, and it’s going to take a bit to adjust, but it seems like a faster motion, just not yet for me.

Indeed. I trimmed the excess on the outside to help it fit a little better

As long as you are just playing with it

I've got 5/8", 1" and 2", depending on the use. The 2" is nice because you can cut it to fit oddball pouches.

Pros/cons on MOLLE belt?

I have an Esstac belt now and looking at adding something different. Thinking MOLLE as I won’t have to move a ton of gear to add/subtract a pouch if I want to change it up

Thoughts before I buy?

I recently dug this out of storage and started reconfiguring. It's an old school ATS war belt on a tactical tailor duty belt IIRC. Circa 2009ish.



Slapped a couple esstac 7.62 pouches on there to replace some old 5.56 pouches. I really like the newer, sleeker belts in color schemes that aren't ACU/ABU

Why would you have to move all the gear to change pouches? My esstac pouches have malice clips but it seems all the mounting options would likely be easier to reconfigure than MOLLE.

Good point

When I put this belt together, I went with the ESSTAC belt loop clips

Prob easier to just go malice clips instead

Eagle OGB + Eagle SFLCS kit + ALS P229

A little OG but it’s worked great for me for years and a bunch of ops

Attached File

Attached File


Ats love. I only have the nalgene in that pouch for ranges etc.   Otherwise I have a camel bak.

Needing info from anyone using the Beez IFAK. ( the smaller one )

Is it still large enough to hold the Stop the bleed necessities plus maybe a couple of chest seal's?

The width looks good on the site but not sure about 1 1/2" depth.

This would be going on a new belt set up.

Thanks

Fairly standard setup...

Ferro Bison belt
Esstac Kywi mag pouches
Blue Force Gear belt mounted dump pouch
Blue Force Gear Micro Trauma Kit NOW
Safariland 6304RDS holster mounted on the True North Concepts MHA
Esstac belt mounted elastic TQ holder with TacMed Solutions SOF TQ

Still playing with mag positions... As much as I like them where they are, I'll probably shift things away from the IFAK for easier insert removal.

One Wrap the world! Lol

I saw this Wilder Tactical Cobra Inner Belt mentioned on here a while back.l and thought it would fit a niche role for me.
Inner Belt

Attached File



For about ten years I’ve used an ATS War Belt with a TT duty belt as a SWAT belt. For a few months, I’ve been testing an AWS belt as a replacement. One issue I’ve had is having to use the Velcro inner belt. It works fine. However, if I need to do a quick change from a patrol belt to swat belt, it’s just another step and another item to keep up with.  I haven’t been wearing it as a normal workday belt, although I suppose I could.

I saw the Wilder belt and wondered if it would work as an inner belt for both outer belts.

So far, it’s been great. It’s not as stiff as the AWS inner belt, but it hasn’t been a problem.  I’ve even found myself wearing it as an actual EDC belt. The buckle slips easily through 1.5” loops on an OWB holster; there’s no problem supporting a full sized pistol and spare mag. It also supports an IWB holster well.

When I’ve got the AWS on, I haven’t noticed any problems. It stays stuck where I put it.

To give perspective, I have worn it for several single day trainings, a week long swat in-service covering a lot of shooting and moving, and even a real world call out.

I do have two things to be aware of, though. The side with the adjustment tends to have the tail flopping out.  It will stay off its properly put in the elastic keeper, but if it’s not just right, it sticks out and can keep the belt from slipping through belt loops.

The biggest issue was sizing. I wear a 34 waist.  This is the size info on the website:

When buying a belt, it is important to select the correct size based upon an accurate measurement.

Your belt size is not the same as your pant or waist size; because your belt goes around you and your pants, your tucked in shirt, and your underwear, your belt size is usually 1 or 2 inches larger than you pant or waist size.

Pant Sizes:

Small: 28-31
Medium: 32-34
Large: 36-40
X-Large: 42-46
XX-Large: 48-52

With that in mind, I’m between sizes. I went with the large, but couldn’t tighten it down enough. I ordered a medium and that is just right. When I have it tightened down, I have a little adjustment either way.

I can't speak for the Beez IFAK but their revolver moon clips and speedloaders are awful. I also have a holster that is less than impressive. Recommend to look elsewhere.

Eta wrong beez

Beez as in Beez Combat systems.? Their nylon gear is solid and half of one of my plate carriers is Beez. I didn't know that they made revolver stuff.

Getting back to working on my gear which has led me to look at improving my belt kit. Ive been using my current stuff for local shoots but have never been totally happy with it. As soon as I start running & gunning the belt begins to drop down and off my waist.

Ive tried a 1 piece Orion belt (padded with inner belt) and like the layout but it never stays put. Ive tightened the inner belt as much as I can to still get it buckled but no improvement. (Trex inner with Cobra buckle)

My 2 piece setup is a bit better but still sags down really bad in the back. I found that I am out of adjustment on the inner belt so Ive ordered a Blue Alpha inner belt to try a smaller size.

Any suggestions on the padded belt other than suspenders of some kind?

Ill post a photo or 2 tonight but Im using:

1 x Esstac 2 pistol mag pouch
1 x Esstac rifle mag
1 x ar500 med kit @ 6oclock
1 x safariland mid ubl w/ holster and thigh strap

Not carrying a lot of weight so Im a bit frustrated on this issue

@Nightstalker32

What belt is that?

Ats slimline war belt.  The inner belt is a ares gear ( not sure the model and cant find it anymore).

Wondering what everyone thinks about Esstac vs. HRT ARC for a first belt?

I’d like to just order everything in one shot and I’m wondering what the better value would be.

Somewhat related... I was considering Esstac pistol and AR mag pouches for my belt setup vs. the HRT Tactical Gear ARC magazine pouches. I can't find anything concrete, but the Internets are leading me to believe HRT stuff is made overseas. That being said, the HRT stuff looks much nicer and modern. To me, Esstac needs to overhaul their gear and move to more modern materials. As much as it pains me to buy gear that isn't made in USA or Canada, I went with HRT's stuff. It's scheduled to be here later this week. I was seriously considering getting the HRT ARC belt but there's nothing wrong with my AWS belt, so I didn't spring for it.