Belts?

[emilianoksa]

For me the best way to carry a pistol is on a belt on the strong side.

What should I be looking to buy: a duty belt or a rigger belt? I haven't been able to find out on google the difference them.

Or is it better to buy a molle holster and get a battle, tactical, war  or molle belt (I think they are all the same). Or a molle chest rig?

Limited as I am at the moment to doing CQB, the only kind of rig I need is something to hold a pistol holster and magazines, and two pouches for up to four midcap magazines.

Advice, as always, gratefully accepted.

 

[Prisce]

Certain pistol holsters can fit on a normal belt, if you don’t need to be carrying lots on your belt, I’d recommend just looping your normal belt through the holster.

I did this with my WAS one for months and it was great.

 

[emilianoksa]

Thanks.

Is the main difference between a rigger belt and a duty belt the way they are secured? There is sod all on Google that I can find to explain these terms. 

 

[Tommikka]

Thanks.

Is the main difference between a rigger belt and a duty belt the way they are secured? There is sod all on Google that I can find to explain these terms. 

Click to shrink...

Original rigger  belts were made by parachute riggers, using their straps and buckles.

This makes them highly strong and secure

A duty belt should also be strong to carry equipment, but doesn’t have the strengths of materials made to parachute standards.

If it’s just made now as a rigger belt from its ‘style’ then it doesn’t necessarily have the full strength

To a degree a rigger belt could be used for abseiling etc but does not have the extra strapping to secure in place 

 

[Jedi_Master]

I use 5.11 belts for everyday wear on jeans or other hiking style trousers, as well as for airsoft, and they work very well with holsters. The operator belt is thicker and stronger than the trainer belt. At around £30-£35 they are worth the money and I would trust the quality.

https://www.nightgearstore.com/en-UK/511-Tactical-Operator-Belt/4885248ng.htm?colour=Black

https://www.nightgearstore.com/en-UK/511-Tactical-Trainer-Belt/4885148ng.htm?colour=Black

Currently only £26 with 20% off code on website.

 

[emilianoksa]

Thanks very much to you both for the explanation and the recommendation.

Very helpful.

 

[Iceni]

Don't you have another thread running for an LCT AK?

If your final goal is an AK then you should pick webbing that was designed for use with the AK47/74 mags. Picking up the British stuff will leave you with mismatched camo on the belt, or poorly fitting pouches if the best ones are not NATA molle standard. Or worse you will find the position of the mags seriously impedes your movement because those mags are massive.

Chest rigs and bags are the best way to carry those mags. Leaving your belt and leg area free for a regular style pistol holster.

Have a google search for AK chest rigs and you should see the problem of going with regular webbing straight away. Because AK style is more like a plate carrier. You want the mags up front and on the belly, Anywhere else they become a burden.


 

 

[emilianoksa]

Thanks very much for pointing that out.

Being a novice I had no idea.

I will indeed search for AK related tactical gear.

You have just saved me a lot of money.

 

[emilianoksa]

I've just done a bit of research thanks to you Iceni, and what an eye opener it was.

Clearly a molle vest is no use  for me. I need a dedicated chest rig with pouches permanently in place that will take AK mags.

At least that simplifies things. The only problem is that since airsoft mags have huge cacacity compared to the real thing, a couple of mags (maybe three) would last me a whole game. I don't use full auto much anyway. Yet the AK rigs I've seen so far tend to have at least five large pouches which might restrict movement a lot.

Anyway, I'll take your advice, run my pistol from a belt and buy an AK rig.  The great thing about AK pouches is that they also fit G36mags, and the G36 is my second favourite gun. So the rig would double up nicely.

Thanks again. You really have saved me a lot of money. If I ever come across you I'll buy you a couple of pints.

 

[Lozart]

I've just done a bit of research thanks to you Iceni, and what an eye opener it was.

Clearly a molle vest is no use  for me. I need a dedicated chest rig with pouches permanently in place that will take AK mags.

At least that simplifies things. The only problem is that since airsoft mags have huge cacacity compared to the real thing, a couple of mags (maybe three) would last me a whole game. I don't use full auto much anyway. Yet the AK rigs I've seen so far tend to have at least five large pouches which might restrict movement a lot.

Anyway, I'll take your advice, run my pistol from a belt and buy an AK rig.  The great thing about AK pouches is that they also fit G36mags, and the G36 is my second favourite gun. So the rig would double up nicely.

Thanks again. You really have saved me a lot of money. If I ever come across you I'll buy you a couple of pints.

Click to shrink...

Can I muddy the waters here?

You can totally get a molle rig and put AK mag pouches on it. You aren't by any means restricted to "AK rigs"! Additionally you may want to look at taco mag pouches, they'll take a massive range of magazines (I've used mine for M4, AK and M14 mags with no problems). I have some of these: https://www.uktactical.com/c-695-warrior-quick-mags-fast-mag.aspx

As far as the G36 mags go though, you may find that the interlocking lugs on the mags make more trouble than they're worth when it comes to pouches.

 

[Lozart]

Also worth mentioning that AK74 mags will fit in M4 pouches while AK47 ones won't. Just in case that makes any difference...

 

[Iceni]

I need a dedicated chest rig with pouches permanently in place that will take AK mags.

Click to shrink...

You can still go with a molle option, It makes a lot of sense over some of the all in one solutions. But there are costs to factor.

You can have the all in one Chinese style for under £20. Cheaper if you look hard. You might pay more than that just for a molle chest without pouches.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Olive-Chicom-Chinese-Vietcong-Chest-Rig-Webbing-/182563368623?_trksid=p2349526.m4383.l4275.c10

It's an item you will never break, and can loan out to people you want to join you when/if you decide you want something prettier.

It sorts the AK out 100%, In a true to the gun and magazine fashion.

I am in no way saying this is the option you must take, because there are other options that will work equally well, but they will also cost you more, and may not perform exactly how you want.

All I would add to that rig, is a tactical belt with a pistol holster, and a drop bag. And work out a way to store 1 or 2 mag pistols on the belt, (molle drop bag might be an idea).

 

[emilianoksa]

Thank you for that advice Lozart.

For the moment though, given the initial expense of setting up in this hobby, I think the AK rigs make better sense.

This very slim item with pouches for single mags would be ideal for CQB:

http://www.military1st.co.uk/13532001-military-paintball-tactical-mag-carrier-chest-rig-olive.html

Or even the old Vietnam era type which might be a bit stronger:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vietnam-Chicom-AK-Military-Army-Basic-Canvas-Ammo-Pouch-Chest-Rig-Webbing-Vest/191654293187?hash=item2c9f7c6ec3:g:gEAAAOSwd0BVwop0

For outdoors something like this might be better:

http://www.military1st.co.uk/fy-vt-c006-cb-flyye-lbt-ak-tactical-chest-vest-coyote-brown.html

Either the second or third options would probably be ok for everything in fact.

A decent molle vest and Warrior pouches would set me back a lot more. But it will be nice to keep it in mind for the future.

 

[emilianoksa]

Sorry Iceni.

Didn't see your last post.

I agree that the cost effective approach you mention seems best.

 

[Iceni]

The VC era ones are canvas, you can dye them if you want as well. So if you want a Black one just Dye a green one!