I recently purchased a Glock 43 for concealed carry. Given the limited capacity of the little single stack 9mm, it seemed prudent to pick up a spare magazine carrier to go with it. I was dismayed to find that most of the magazine carriers I found were larger and bulkier than I expected for a handgun that is designed to be concealed. Then I remembered the Snake Eater Tactical IWB Magazine Pouch.
Overview
The Snake Eater Tactical (SET) IWB Magazine Pouch is a magazine pouch that, in spite of it’s name, can be used for inside or outside the waist band carry. It is constructed from heavy duty elastic for the magazine pouch itself. It also has a sewn on belt loop made of ONE-WRAP and a backer made from laser cut material allowing the user to convert the pouch for OWB use by routing the loop through the backer.
The pouch will accept and retain a wide variety of magazines. It works with slimmer, single stack magazines like 1911 mags. It works with full size double stack magazines like a Glock 17 0r 22. I was even able to squeeze Glock 21 magazines into them without too much effort, though that is likely the limit. It also works with magazines that are significantly shorter than the pouch itself like Glock 43 or 26 magazines which is how I use them most of the time.
Observations from Use
These are the best inside the waistband magazine pouches I have used. They are deceptively simple in their design but the materials used and construction methods are very efficient. Everything serves a functional purpose.
Versatility – These will hold a ton of different types of magazines (or flashlights, knives, etc). Unlike most universal solutions, the SET IWB Magazine Pouches will actually RETAIN a ton of different types of magazine thanks to how well the elastic grips the magazines. Being able to route the belt loop through the backer to create an OWB pouch is another versatile feature.
Comfort – That same elastic that grips the magazines, also ensures that the pouch is extremely thin and comfortable to wear. Basically, the pouch is barely larger than the magazine it is holding and the stretched out elastic wraps tightly over the contents of the pouch, softening of any hard edge.
The ONE-WRAP belt loop is sewn to the pouch at the top only. This allows the pouch to flex and move with the wearer, further improving comfort.
Ease of Use – The ONE-WRAP belt loop is extremely easy to take on and off your belt. You can place it anywhere you want on your belt without having to remove the magazine from the pouch or opening your belt. It is far easier to deal with than a pull-the-dot type loop and it adjusts to nearly any size belt without having to trim the loop (though it is easily trimmed if you need to).
Retention – These magazine pouches offer excellent retention. They grip the magazine tightly enough that it will never come out but release it quickly when you draw it. They don’t have the click in/click out feeling of kydex. It is more of a consistent friction feeling when drawing a magazine from the pouch.
Affordability – These pouches are made in the USA and cost $15. You can’t even find an over-seas produced, injection molded abomination of a magazine carrier for $15. Even if you can, it won’t be this versatile or comfortable.
There is one potential downside to these pouches (and really most elastic magazine pouches on the market). It is very difficult to insert a magazine with one hand. If you are looking for a pouch that you can use to retain a magazine during a “tactical reload” this isn’t it. That isn’t an issue for me since I have pockets.
Wrap Up
You are getting a whole lot of versatility, functionality, and comfort for your $15. As I said earlier in the article, the Snake Eater Tactical IWB Magazine Pouches are the best inside the waist band magazine pouches I have ever used.
IWB Magazine Pouches at SnakeEaterTactical.com
Disclosure: This pouch was provided free of charge for review by Snake Eater Tactical.