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S&J Hardware Detachable Shotshell Carrier Pouch MKIII

By on June 9, 2014 in Guns, Tactical Gear

I have really seen the light when it comes to hook backed, elastic loop side saddles/shot shell cards for shotguns. They just offer so many more ammo management capabilities with less weight and lower cost.

One of their biggest advantages is the ability to remove and replace them quickly as they become depleted. That sounds good but you still have to work out how you will carry the spares. You have options like sticking a spare or two the loop field on your plate carrier or chest rig(if it has one). You could also carry the cards in AR-15 magazine pouches which works reasonably well. However, if you want a dedicated solution, you might consider something like the new Detachable Shotshell Carrier Pouch MKIII (DSC) from S&J Hardware.

DSC Pouch

The DSC is a pouch that is purpose built to carry 3 (included) shotgun cards. One of the cards is carried on the front of the pouch where it is always ready. You can think of that one as a speed reload in a sense. The other two are secured inside the pouch. The pouch is closed via a zipper and it features a large pull tab on the top so that it can be ripped open easily with one hand. It is MOLLE compatible with a footprint that is basically the same as a standard M4 magazine pouch.

This looks like a very well thought out solution and a heck of a deal considering it comes with 3 shell cards. Check out the S&J Hardware Detachable Shotshell Carrier Pouch MKIII.

Review: OC Tactical HP2 Hearing Protection Cover

By on June 9, 2014 in Tactical Gear, Tactics and Training

I have been using OC Tactical’s earlier version of the Hearing Protection Cover for years and I am very partial to it. My Sordin electronic hearing protection has a permanently attached, leather-like headband cover on it that turns kind of slimy if you wear it on a hot day, so I have always covered it up with a cover from OC Tactical. My original cover is durable, comfortable, breaths well, and you can take it off to clean it. Like I said, I have grown partial to it. So, when I heard that OC Tactical was coming out with a new version that was easier for them to manufacture but a better overall product, I was skeptical. I mean, I trust Mike at OC Tactical to make great gear but… I really like my old cover.

Overview

The HP2 Hearing Protection Cover is made from Cordura Nylon with a foam backed Dri-Lex mesh liner. It made to be wrapped around the headband and secured along its entire length with hook and loop material. There is a handy loop sewn into one side of the cover that allows you to secure your hearing protection to your gear via a carabineer or similar device. OC Tactical offers an optional section of color matched loop to secure name tapes for a small fee.

OC Tactical HP2

Observations from Use

The fit is better on the new HP2 than the previous version of the hearing protection covers. It lays flatter and seems to be a bit more forgiving to install without feeling like there is too much extra material. Not only does it fit my Sordins with the non-removable, leatherish cover still in place, it also fits bare Sordin headbands and the budget friendly Howard Leight Impact Sport head set.

It also feel thinner overall than the original without any loss in comfort. I have a large noggin and, without some padding, my Sordins will start get uncomfortable on the crown of my head. OC Tactical’s covers have always been a suitable fix for that. The new HP2 is just as comfortable but with a bit less bulk which means it works better under a helmet (not that I ever have much reason to wear one, but you might). That is a win-win.

My HP2 has a loop made from shock cord. OC Tactical found that sometimes the sewing machine’s needle would pierce and break the inner elastic strands in the shock cord which weakens it. They have since changed to a paracord loop. I like that kind of retro-testing and attention to detail.

OC Tactical HP2 Loop

Considering everything I said above, I would say my initial skepticism was misplaced. I actually prefer the HP2 to the old version but I haven’t even covered the best part of the new design. It has been streamlined so that it costs less and is almost always in stock! If you have one of the older ones, you know it could take a while for OC Tactical to work through their waiting list. They made thousands and thousands of these covers. Now, with the new product HP2, they are available right this minute for less money. Progress!

Wrap Up

The HP2 is a better cover than the original at a lower cost and with immediate availability. That is hard to hate. Check out the OC Tactical HP2 Hearing Protection Cover.

OC Tactical HP2 Open Outside OC Tactical HP2 Open Inside

BFG – Alternate Dapper Use

By on June 6, 2014 in EDC, Preparedness, Survival, Tactical Gear

Blue Force Gear posted a video that shows a handy alternate use for their Dappers (below). Dappers are their line of hook backed pouches that are intended to be attached to loop material that is commonly found inside of EDC and tactical backpacks, bags, and cases. The video shows that the Dappers can be attached to the carpet material that basically every car on the planet has lining the trunk and other compartments.

Check out the full line of Dappers at Blue Force Gear.

Review: Beez Combat Systems TLMP

By on June 6, 2014 in Reviews, Tactical Gear

It is becoming increasingly common for plate carriers to have the capability to attach various chest rigs and panels to the front plate pocket. This type of set up allows the wearer to purchase a mostly slick plate carrier (PC) which they can scale up, scale down, or configure for different weapons by simply swapping the chest rig or panel.

Beez Combat System’s (BCS) Tactical Load Mount Platform (TLMP) is one such panel that is designed for these plate carrier set ups. BCS spent a lot of time designing a lot of versatility into these panels and it shows.

BCS TLMP

Overview

The TLMP is constructed from 1000D Cordura Nylon and is offered in 17 different color/camo options! It can be had in 4 different configurations based on the number and type of magazines you need to carry: 3 AR mags, 4 AR mags, 3 AK mags, and 4 AK mags.

The subject of this review is the 3 AR mag version of the TLMP. It has three of the integrated magazine pouches that BCS is known for arrayed across the panel. Unlike most pouches of this type, the pouches are completely independent and there is no way for stowed mags to contact each other. Each pouch has a removable/adjustable bungee retainer with pull tab.

BCS TLMP Pouches

The front of the TLMP has a large 8 column by 3 row PALS webbing field. There is an integrated, hook and loop secured map pouches in the body of the TLMP.

You should be able to adapt the TLMP to just about any PC with a Velocity Systems/Mayflower R&C style attachment system. It features 2 vertical straps with plenty of excess webbing to adjust the height for use with the QASM buckles found on the front plate pocket of compatible PCs. There are 2 diagonal webbing loops at the top corners of the TLMP for use with a chest rig harness. There are 3 webbing loops on each side (6 total) for use with SwiftClips or a similar solution. Finally, the TLMP features a hook material field on the back to minimize unwanted movement on compatible PCs.

Observations from Use

As with everything from BCS that I have laid hands on, the TLMP is well made. Every place that webbing is joined to the body of the TLMP has large box stiches or heavy bar tacks when a box stitch is not possible. Due to the design of there mag pouch, the TLMP is at least 2 layers of 1000D Cordura nylon thick in all wear areas. The overall impression is that it will last for a long, long time.

BCS TLMP Mounted

I used the TLMP on the front of a Velocity System LWPC most of the time and found it to be a great fit for that PC. It also worked well on my Mayflower R&C APC though that PC lacks the loop field on the cummerbund flap to secure it as well as it could be. I also used buckles from my spares box and Mayflower R&C H-harness to adapt the TLMP into a stand alone chest rig. It is simply a matter of threading on the correct hardware. You can configure it a number of ways with just a few repair buckles.

I prefer a fairly deep magazine pouch so that there is some retention even if the bungee retainer is not in use. BCS never disappoints me here. Their pouches are deep enough to retain mags fairly aggressively even with the bungee retain in place. If you have ever lost or broken a retainer, you can appreciate that. They are actually deep enough that they work pretty well for PMAG 40s.

The design of BCS’s mag pouch necessitates that this panel will be a bit wider than most 3 mag shingles but it is still a near perfect fit for the cummerbund flap found on all my PCs. While it may be wider, the pouch design always makes their gear feel slimmer and lower in profile. This design also creates a single, uninterrupted PALS field on the front of the panel.

There are a lot of different webbing loops projecting out from the TLMP. I would suggest using it a few times to figure out which mounting options work best for you and then trimming off the attachment points that you won’t use or securing them out of the way with tape or zip ties.

BCS TLMP Back

Here is a tip for those of you who like to use a chest rig or panel’s integral map pouch as a sort of admin pouch. The TLMP comes with a very nice cover for the hook field on the back. I usually just store it in the map pouch when it I don’t need it. However, if you will need to access the map pouch frequently, you can use the cover to block the hook and loop closure that it can be opened quickly and quietly.

Wrap Up

The TLMP is well made, offers a ton of PALS real estate, and very adaptable. Check out the TLMP at Beez Combat Systems.

Head On Tactical Battle Rig and Honey Badger Rig

By on June 4, 2014 in Tactical Gear

Head On Tactical has introduced two new chest rigs – the Battle Rig and the Honey Badger Rig. The two chest rigs are similar in that they both have “X” harnesses, integrated flap and buckle secured pistol mag pouches, an integrated GP/IFAK pouch, and a map pocket in the body of the rig. They differ in the configuration of their magazines pouches.

DSC_6246_original

The Battle Rig has 3 double M4 magazine pouches (3 pouches x 2 mags per pouch = 6 mags). The pouches are secured with flaps and have bungee cord compression straps to help keep single mags from moving too much.

DSC_6232_original

The Honey Badger rig has 4 open top magazine pouches. Each pouch can hold a single M4 or AK magazine and is secured with a bungee retainer. The interior of the mag pouches has loop material so that magazines can be retained by sticking a small piece of hook material to the magazine or kydex inserts made be used.

Check out both new rigs at Head On Tactical.

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