PhilB
Sr. Member
- Reaction score
- 58
- Points
- 330
Hi guys,
I recently received a trial version of a mag pouch that CP Gear is planning on producing, to T&E. The mag pouch that I received is a triple, but has shock cord to control the size, so it can be used as a double. The pouch I received, being a trial, was not divided internally, however I have been informed that the production model will be a divided, tiered design.
For the most part, unless you are planning on using mag shingles, you can either get mag pouches which have velcro closure, side release closure, or a combination of both. After using HSGI Universal mag pouches on tour I am not happy with side release closure pouches. I found that the side release buckle, when closed, could not be opened easily and quickly with one hand (maybe this is just me ???). I found myself continually undoing the buckle in advance and just relying on velcro. As a result of this experience I purchase Eagle mag pouches, which have only velcro closure, for the rig I am setting up for my next tour. The concern I have is that the velcro will degrade in the desert (happened last time) and thus my mag pouches will be somewhat useless. Enter CP Gear;
The mag pouch that Matt sent me uses a new style of buckle and is quite innovative. The pouch closes with velcro and this buckle
open
As I stated earlier the pouch is a triple pouch, but with the inclusion of shock cord, can be adjusted for carrying less mags. The pouch also has pals on both sides to attach smaller pouches.
The pouch has silencing velcro if needed for more tactical, sneaky peaky, applications. This is a small thing but a huge pet peeve of mine; On most mag pouches that I have used the silencing velcro just tucks into the pouch, where I find it usually gets in the way. On my HSGI pouches I just ended up cutting out the silencing velcro. On this pouch the silencing velcro is held down but a small piece of binding tape. Simple yet ingenious!
Obviously, the major feature of this pouch is the buckle I was speaking about earlier. The buckle holds the pouch closed securely and has a short cordura strap attached to it. To open the buckle simply tug firmly on the short cordura strap. The buckle is also adjustable, much like a standard side release buckle. I found this buckle to be extremely fast, and intuitive. Much more so than side release buckles.
Here is a close up of each side of the buckle open.
I thought that pictures really didn't do this buckle justice so I made a short video to better convey the operation of this buckle. Click on link for video.
http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a230/PBialek/?action=view¤t=DSCN0442.flv
Initially I was skeptical of this system because when I was playing with it before it was attached to my vest I had some issues opening the buckle. As soon as it was securely attached to my vest I had no issues, and am definitely a convert! Overal I am extremely impressed with this pouch. I feel that it addresses all of the issues I have had with mag pouches previously. I am not sure what the price point or availability on this pouch is, but im sure that Matt at CP will chime in with some more details.
I recently received a trial version of a mag pouch that CP Gear is planning on producing, to T&E. The mag pouch that I received is a triple, but has shock cord to control the size, so it can be used as a double. The pouch I received, being a trial, was not divided internally, however I have been informed that the production model will be a divided, tiered design.
For the most part, unless you are planning on using mag shingles, you can either get mag pouches which have velcro closure, side release closure, or a combination of both. After using HSGI Universal mag pouches on tour I am not happy with side release closure pouches. I found that the side release buckle, when closed, could not be opened easily and quickly with one hand (maybe this is just me ???). I found myself continually undoing the buckle in advance and just relying on velcro. As a result of this experience I purchase Eagle mag pouches, which have only velcro closure, for the rig I am setting up for my next tour. The concern I have is that the velcro will degrade in the desert (happened last time) and thus my mag pouches will be somewhat useless. Enter CP Gear;
The mag pouch that Matt sent me uses a new style of buckle and is quite innovative. The pouch closes with velcro and this buckle
open
As I stated earlier the pouch is a triple pouch, but with the inclusion of shock cord, can be adjusted for carrying less mags. The pouch also has pals on both sides to attach smaller pouches.
The pouch has silencing velcro if needed for more tactical, sneaky peaky, applications. This is a small thing but a huge pet peeve of mine; On most mag pouches that I have used the silencing velcro just tucks into the pouch, where I find it usually gets in the way. On my HSGI pouches I just ended up cutting out the silencing velcro. On this pouch the silencing velcro is held down but a small piece of binding tape. Simple yet ingenious!
Obviously, the major feature of this pouch is the buckle I was speaking about earlier. The buckle holds the pouch closed securely and has a short cordura strap attached to it. To open the buckle simply tug firmly on the short cordura strap. The buckle is also adjustable, much like a standard side release buckle. I found this buckle to be extremely fast, and intuitive. Much more so than side release buckles.
Here is a close up of each side of the buckle open.
I thought that pictures really didn't do this buckle justice so I made a short video to better convey the operation of this buckle. Click on link for video.
http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a230/PBialek/?action=view¤t=DSCN0442.flv
Initially I was skeptical of this system because when I was playing with it before it was attached to my vest I had some issues opening the buckle. As soon as it was securely attached to my vest I had no issues, and am definitely a convert! Overal I am extremely impressed with this pouch. I feel that it addresses all of the issues I have had with mag pouches previously. I am not sure what the price point or availability on this pouch is, but im sure that Matt at CP will chime in with some more details.