THE CAGE: BELT SETUP UPDATE

WE ALL LOVE SOME GUCCI GEAR FOR AIRSOFT, BUT SOMETIMES THE OLD ADAGE THAT “YOU CAN SPOT THE VETERAN AIRSOFTER WITH JUST AN OLD AK AND BELT KIT” IS TRUER THAN YOU MIGHT THINK! THIS MONTH BILL GOT TOGETHER WITH THE AA LEGION TO REVISIT THEIR BELT SETUPS AND FOUND A FEW OF THE TEAM HAVE MOVED FORWARDS DURING “LOCKDOWN”!

In the past couple of years things have really moved on in relation to “Belt Kit”, with lower profile systems coming to the fore, and new technologies being embraced to ensure strength and durability whilst keeping the weight well and truly down. The “two piece shooters belt” seems to in vogue, and having now tried a few different models from a variety of manufacturers, I can understand why this is so.

I’ve also noticed that more and more of my friends are embracing “Practical Pistol”, or in the case of the AA Legion “Airsoft Multigun” (or “PAMG”, as we’re calling it) rigs, and changing their belt setups to accommodate a new style of airsoft shooting, and you’ll see some other examples of this in this month’s issue!

However, like many of you, the thought of investing in a completely new (and indeed quite expensive!) dedicated belt and pouches is a little galling to me as I already own a number of brilliant setups that suit me well, and of course for PMAG these will be just fine! My first setup (Multicam), which is sold as a complete unit, is the Warrior Assault Systems (WAS) Low Profile MOLLE Belt (LPMB) DA MK 1, which offers a two stage low profile platform configured for the needs of the modern shooter. Stage One is a reinforced slimline belt that is covered in loop Velcro and is designed to be threaded through your trouser belt loops and acts in the same way that a traditional belt would. Stage Two of the system is made up of a low profile MOLLE belt covered in two rows of Mil Spec webbing; this belt has a row of hook Velcro on the inside which marries up to first belt, it is then secured by way of a removable belt and composite GT Cobra buckle.

Although it’s marketed as a two piece system there are in fact three components to the system; the inner trouser belt, the outer belt with the GT Cobra, and then a MOLLE sleeve which covers that. Overall this means that you have a versatile and very strong system that will support the weight of multiple pouches and a holstered pistol. And talking about

“...THIS IS, IN MY MIND, WHERE WAS HAVE BEEN THINKING AHEAD AS THE SYSTEM COMES COMPLETE WITH A VARIETY OF THEIR EXCELLENT MODELS, INCLUDING A SINGLE PISTOL MAGAZINE POUCH, TWO RIFLE MAGAZINE POUCHES, A SLIMLINE FOLDABLE DUMP POUCH, IFAK FIRST AID POUCH, ONE SMALL HORIZONTAL POUCH, AND THEIR USEFUL UNIVERSAL PISTOL POUCH/HOLSTER (UPH). ”

pouches this is, in my mind, where WAS have been thinking ahead as the system comes complete with a variety of their excellent models, including a Single Pistol Magazine Pouch, two Rifle Magazine pouches, a Slimline Foldable Dump Pouch, IFAK First Aid Pouch, one Small Horizontal Pouch, and their useful Universal Pistol Pouch/Holster (UPH). Although you can add and subtract from the pouches provided, I change out the “universal holster” for a platform-specific Kydex model from Taig at Kydex Customs with a QD belt clip, which makes changing out my holster when I’m testing different pistols on the range straightforward.

This, I have to say, got me started on the two-piece belt, and since then I’ve also come to love the loprofile Mustang system from Direct Action; the inner belt works simply as a trouser belt and as a stabiliser for both the Mustang and Warhawk outer belts. As it attaches to the inner Velcro loop panels of those belts, it prevents ride-up during dynamic movement or when drawing a pistol from a holster. With this belt in place there’s no need to use suspenders or a drop leg panel in order to achieve a secure pistol draw. Made out of proprietary laminate and Velcro this is simply a flat, feather-light accessory to keep your pants up and your working equipment belt where you’d expect it to be. The ultra-thin profile of the trouser belt effectively eliminates “buckle over buckle” discomfort and can be worn all day long.

I have two of these setups now, one in simple Adaptive Green for training and “competition”, and one in PenCott GreenZone for OPFOR use; both are set up identically with a safety tether, two primary magazine pouches, two secondary magazine pouches, a dump pouch, a TQ pouch and an IFAK (all the pouches are DA or Helkion-Tex, and the HTX Modular Individual Med Kit pouch is an absolute gem. Recently I’ve added to my personal belt collection the awesome Competition Multigun setup from Helikon-Tex as, like others on the team, I intend to embrace this as a new direction in my personal airsoft journey!

TEAM TALK!

So, with this in mind I thought I’d check with the rest of The Legion to see what they’d been up to with their own rigs, and asked them “I’d like for you to talk about your own personal POUCH SETUP in detail; what specific pouches do you run on your belt, and WHY do you run them?” and this is what they had to tell me!

Rob: “My base belt in OD, Padded three row MOLLE Highspeed gear belt, Highspeed Gear Taco pouches, two left side front rifle/pistol combo, right front one rifle/pistol combo and a double rifle Taco. Left side back two Maxpedition roll dump pouches (one used for dump other for a one litre wide water bottle), back centre is a blow-out kit, right side slight back is Kydex Glock holster (space behind it is open) and on the front a HSG pistol Taco for a light. Ah yeah, I also use Y-suspenders on this setup and have belt keepers attached so I can attach this to my trousers and keep them up LOL. The Kydex holster is swapped for a second roll pouch for NVG or extra water when I wear my plates over this and/or chest rig (holster goes to cross draw on chest) and I use the same setup for both real steel and airsoft.”

Jon: “Oh boy... Sore point here. I was having a convo with the Boss about this a couple of weeks ago (I’m convinced he’s deliberately poking at me!). So, I was saying that I 100% regretted selling my WAS Recon setup and my shooters belt. It was perfect for me. Universal holster, two pistol mag pouches, two STANAG Mag pouches, rip off IFAK and roll up dump pouch…

“I’d spent so much time moving bits about that I’d got it perfectly dialled in. I absolutely loved it... Then I sold it all. Epic fail. Now I’m running the One Tigris two-part shooters belt with a paddle holster and one polymer pistol and STANAG pouch and a cheapo dump pouch. None of it matches and I can’t get it quite right just yet. Ideally I’ll have one tan, black and green set up. In all honesty I’ll probably end up ordering more WAS kit because it just works out of the box. The real selling point for me is the WAS Universal Holster. It’s such an adaptable bit of kit and holds most standard pistols super securely. It also comes with replacement parts that wear out, so you really can’t complain about it.”

Chris: “Belt... Helikon Competition Modular Belt Sleeve, it’s nice and chunky, good padding and laser style MOLLE looping, coupled with the Helikon plastic buckle Cobra Belt as it keeps things nice and light. I then have two HSGI Taco pouches for rifle mags; like others here I’ve had an affinity with HSGI kit for

“I 100% REGRETTED SELLING MY WAS RECON SETUP AND MY SHOOTERS BELT. IT WAS PERFECT FOR ME. UNIVERSAL HOLSTER, TWO PISTOL MAG POUCHES, TWO STANAG MAG POUCHES, RIP OFF IFAK AND ROLL UP DUMP POUCH… I’D SPENT SO MUCH TIME MOVING BITS ABOUT THAT I’D GOT IT PERFECTLY DIALLED IN. I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT... THEN I SOLD IT ALL. EPIC FAIL”

years and years so these pouches were a no brainer for me, and damn nice looking. Double Pistol pouch by Mission Tailors, local UK chap who makes very affordable kit, and I quite like the ESS-Tac style of them. SORD dump pouch. Tasmanian Tiger Phone pouch, nice and padded, gives loads of protection for your phone if your screen is in towards your body. Eagle industries canteen pouch, holds any small to one qt size bottle nice and tight with no excess movement. Emdom utility/admin pouch, for keys, wallet or a speed loader; just a generally nice and useful pouch! Holster, Safariland 6004 for USP9 with Surefire lights; like HSGI I’ve been a fan of Safariland for years, they just work, and protect your sidearm for bashing against door frames or walls in CQB. To finish it off I use Platatac low profile suspenders in DPCU… because I love DPCU!”

Miguel: “I keep most of my weight on my vest, so my belt setup is light. It’s a Viper Tactical Technical Harness with a holster, IFAK, drop pouch and medium utility pouch. I use it with both my Plate Carrier set and my Chest Rig.”

Hana: “I like to use the belt system in CQB or during pistol training, and I added two pistol magazine pouches, two quick release AR magazine pouches, a dump pouch and one more medical pouch. I only really use the belt when there is training as it can provide greater flexibility to move. I don’t use the belt system and the vest at the same time because I’m short and small, so I don’t have enough space on my upper body to add a wider belt! For me it is one or the other.”

Jimmy: “I never really bothered about a belt until last year, primarily because I didn’t really know what I wanted in a belt and never saw the point as I carried everything I needed on my PC, but it got to a point my PC was becoming bulky and restricted movement. At times I was carrying 12+1 AR magazines and three pistol mags plus pack, hydration and comms. I started looking into belts and honestly found myself down a rabbit hole not knowing what direction to go. To buy a complete belt setup wasn’t going to be cheap especially if you want something gucci and that is going to stand the test of time.

“I stumbled across a bargain second hand WAS LPMB in Multicam and it had everything I felt I needed minus a holster so naturally I had to buy it, and I must admit I don’t regret buying it at all. Everything on it is WAS except the dump pouch which was a TMC but it’s a very close match to the WAS material. I run four AR quick pouches and two pistol quick pouches on my left hip, dump pouch in line with my kidney, medic pouch at the very rear, grenade pouch under my right kidney and my WAS universal pistol holster over my right hip. I also use a harness to ensure the belt doesn’t slip down. The belt for me gave me means to still carry a large amount of equipment without really restricting my movement. There are so many different types of belt on the market so it can be difficult to choose; how do you know what is going to be right for you? Ask your mates that know and then try many before you buy!”

Stewbacca: “I used to have WAS battle belts/PLB style belts in the UK to carry my pistol and holster, a dump pouch and pistol mag pouches and maybe even an AR mag pouch.

“Playing mostly CQB or otherwise using GBBRs with limited magazine quantities in Taiwan I tend to have four pistol mag pouches on my plate carrier permanently for use with pistols, SMGs or PDWs which covers all but three of my guns; when using the T91/HK416/G36C I run triple STANAG HSGI Taco or similar pouches on my belt, any other time I have three pistol Tacos on it and a holster on the other side, just using the inner velcro belt of my Double Alpha Academy competition belts to hold it all on. I run very light loadouts here due to the short hit and out game formats and smaller game sites.”

Dan: “I use a Ronin Tactics Shuto belt, but to be honest, I don’t really run anything on it at all the majority of the time. It’s simply there to provide a stable platform for my pistol so it will clear the vest. Since I’m basically a hobbit (5’ 6”), I can’t really mount any pouches on the belt line as they bump on the bottom of the vest; this is especially the case with vertically mounted magazine pouches. Honestly, a lot of the tactical gear industry isn’t really sized for us smaller guys and we struggle to find quality gear that fits well, often having to modify items in some cases. If I’m running a pistol solo, I’ll throw on a pair or three custom Kydex pistol magazine pouches on Blade-Tech Tek-Lok adapters, a Blue Force Gear Micro IFAK - and if using it for real steel, an Eleven 10 Kydex torniquet holder, also on a Tek-Lok adapter.” AA