Recommend an AR15 mag pouch carrier.

[Fly320s]

Howdy,

I'm looking for a mag pouch/mag carrier for AR15 mags. I'd like to be able to carry at least 2 mags, but I don't need more than 4. I want to use it strictly for range and training, not combat or SHTF or zombie attacks.

I currently use a belt pouch which is molded black plastic that holds one 20/30 round mag. Since it is belt mounted, I am limited to one pouch while carrying my handgun and spare handgun mags.

What is available out there that won't make me look like Tactical Tommy going to Iraq? I've been searching over at LightFighter Tactical Forums, but those guys are mainly interested in military equipment.

Does someone here have a favorite for range/training/3 gun use?

Thanks.

 

[Lonestar.45]

Ace Case has some nice ones.

http://www.acecase.com/Accessories-p-1-c-251.html

 

[pittspilot]

Taggage.

 

[swingset]

I was in the same position.

Here's what I went with:

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/MOLLE158-48329-1975.html



I bought two of these, for $20 total.

I can attach them to my pack, also bought from CTD or to a MOLLE vest if I'm shooting 3-gun. Very handy, doesn't interfere with my magpuls, and they're holding up very well for cheaper gear.

 

[Sunray]

Go to a surplus shop and buy a few issue mag pouches. Tactical Tommy will have the whole web belt and harness. You just need a sturdy belt. Buy some mag pouches for your handgun mags too.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

What are you training for and how are you going to carry mags in that situation? That is what I would use to dictate the type of mag pouch I would buy for range use.

For a long time, I just used the back pocket of my jeans as a mag pouch. That gave me one in the rifle, one in the pocket. It worked well enough for a home defense style scenario; but it had two problems:

1. Couldn't carry enough mags/ammo for formal classes.
2. Lint gets jammed into the feed lips causing the rifle to urp when you jam lint & ammo into the mag well.

One step up from this is kydex mounted belt pouches. These are extremely fast and relatively low profile, if you don't like the military look. The downside to these is you start having a lot of weight on your belt. Even with a relatively modest training rig, you end up with 2 AR mags, 2 pistol mags and a pistol. That is around 6lbs of gear hanging off your belt - so you need a high quality dedicated gun belt at a minimum. If you add much more in the way of gear, you'll need suspenders or drop leg panels as well. Also while 2 mags will get you through a 3-gun run OK in most cases, you spend more time running back and forth between the table and firing line during training.

Old GI alice mag pouches are cheap; but still have the same weight issue (3lbs per pouch loaded) and they are slow if you are using them in any time-pressure scenario.

I finally just ended up buying a modular chest rig. It holds enough ammo for training, is more affordable, and it goes on/off quick and easy. I also think it would also be faster than the belt rig if you could get good kydex pouches for it; but there are only a few out there and I haven't got to try them yet. It is really nice when you are in a class or when the firing line is a long way from where your gear is parked. You can carry everything you need on you, so you get a lot more quality time in an hour worth of shooting.

 

[NMshooter]

Having tried out a number of different load bearing equipment styles I eventually ended up with a modular chest rig.

However, this offering from Eagle: http://www.eagleindustries.com/ProdDisp.asp?PartNoID=867
might fit your needs better.

 

[308win]

Tactical Vest for a Tactical Tommy

These make good photography, birding, ect. vests as well but they are tactical at a decent price.

 

[Fly320s]

For training: formal courses, such as SigArms Academy 2-day carbine course. And other formal courses in the future.

Range: fun and possibly 3-gun, when available.

I do use a formed Kydex mag carrier now, but I only have one, which I carry on my belt. My belt is a double thickness gun belt which can hold the weight, but I'd rather not be ringed with rifle mag pouches, pistol mag pouches, and my handgun.

That link NMshooter might work. Keep the ideas coming, thanks.

 

[El Tejon]

After years of fighting a whole cardboard box of gear, I went back to simple with the CP223 from Eagle Industries which was recommended by a long time Pat Rogers student. Check it out, I think it is what you are seeking.

http://www.eagleindustries.com/

 

[cheaptrick]

308Win:
Thanks for the link to the 5.11 vest!!
Killer deal for sure.
Just bought one.

I use a CQB Solutions mag vest for my shooting.
I don't think they are still in business or got bought out by Blue Force??
Good gear.

 

[HorseSoldier]

+1 for chest rigs. Though they do have kind of a military look and such if you are really trying to avoid that. My favorite format to date is from a company up in Canada called Dropzone Tactical, but there are lots of good options ranging in price from under $50 up through $150 or so.

I suppose an alternative, if you're wanting to avoid that military look and such, would be getting a drop leg magazine pouch or a modular drop leg and put a couple single or double mag pouches on it (plus, possibly, some suspenders for your gun belt). All of the above can be had from Tactical Tailor or most of the other major kit manufacturers. I'd think a chest rig would be a better set up, personally, though.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

El Tejon, if you like that, have you checked out the Paul Howe Universal Chest Rig from Eagle? Probably not enough of an upgrade to justify the cost; but a real nice practical rig at a very good price.

I have a friend who uses a 5.11 vest. Not bad; but it drives me crazy that they put the AR mag pouches on the right side. Great if you are lefty I guess.

 

[El Tejon]

BR, yes, I have seen the item you describe, why I destroy my CP223 (gear does not last long with me) maybe I'll get it next.

I have a Tactial Taylor vest and it worked fine. However, since my service to my country involved typing and making coffee, I was unhappy with the Captain Tactical look.

If you have trouble reaching across yourself, it's a good excuse to sign up for yoga. "Honey, I know there are a lot of hot chicks in the class but I need to do this for carbine classes."

 

[scooterthegreat]

I shoot 3-gun matches and have become quite fond of this mag holder for my AR:

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/MOLLE319-19898-2085.html

I start out with one in hand, and two in the mag pouch. Not very often that I even get to the third mag, but I know it's there and it' easy for me to grab quickly.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

If you have trouble reaching across yourself, it's a good excuse to sign up for yoga.

No trouble reaching across myself (yet ); but the timer is merciless on extra movement beyond what you need. Manipulation times go down consistently with the mags on the chest or on the weak side for me.

 

[Thin Black Line]

I used Spec-Ops brand in Iraq.....and, no, they don't pay me to post that.

 

[Stump Water]

... Btt

 

[W.E.G.]

http://www.antipersonnel.net/fmco/005.html#2

Just like the G.I. model except without the grenade pouches on the sides.

I'll have this here six-pack, and gimme a pack of them smokes, one of each of your scratch-off lottery tickets, and a case of grenades please.


Tactical Tommy.... He's our man!
If he can't do it... nobody can!

 

[benEzra]

Does anybody know if this vest has suitable pouches to fit AR/mini-14/AK mags, or if anyone makes one that does?

http://www.lapolicegear.com/saphve.html

Is that a pair of magazine pockets on the models' right-hand side, or is it just one pocket with pleats?

I am just getting into carbine matches and may do 3-gun at some point, but I would rather have something that looks more "civilian" than the more ninja-esque tac-vests that some people sell. It'd be nice to have something I could wear camping or in an emergency without looking like I'm trying to be John Freaking Rambo or a pseudo-military poser.

I'm thinking that something like W.E.G. pictured would do me for carbine matches for now (will it hold 20-rd AK mags, you think?), but if I do 3-gun, my little belt is going to cut me in half if I add much more to it.

 

[PTK]

I use the GI mag pouches, but I tear the grenade pouches off the sides. That gives me three mags each, at a cost of $.99 at a local Army/Navy store.