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MOLLE the start of the tacticool

Dan Robinson said:
Actually learnt a few things in that video - I didn't realise you were supposed to weave the straps on the pouches for one.  Wonder if I will have time tonight before tomorrow to re run it all on my rigs.
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This is the common mistake of MOLLE users.

When the first ‘consumer’ MOLLE pouches came out they would have ‘standard’ 25mm webbing straps and would very obviously flap around, if the user didn’t notice at first when fitting then they would soon realise something was wrong as their gear flapped around

Thicker multi layer straps from better quality consumer pouches or surplus pouches make it less obvious (and harder to weave) but still with flappy results 

Dan Robinson said:
Actually learnt a few things in that video - I didn't realise you were supposed to weave the straps on the pouches for one.  Wonder if I will have time tonight before tomorrow to re run it all on my rigs.
Click to expand...
On another tack, have you ever managed to bend a weaver rail sight mounting system between weapon and sight?

 
Tommikka said:
Just a throwaway spin on the name & weave, and perhaps an old joke a few years past it’s best before date 

(MOLLE needs to be weaved, but weavers not so much)
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FFS, I just got the joke LOL.  I'm a bit slow this week... To much brain power expended dealing with family and general bullshit. 

 
The first rule of MOLLE club….

….. we don’t talk about Molle 1.

The initial design of pack did not have a waist belt. It was designed to engage into the wearers load carrying vest.  
 

View attachment 113456

The design was flawed, did not work well, was too prone to failure and resulted in back injuries.

View attachment 113457

Hence MOLLE 2

A nice write up specific to MOLLE (1) and how the pack/vest integrated, or not.

http://inrd.gotdns.com/alice/molle1.htm

CIE hub data for MOLLE 2

https://ciehub.info/equipment/loadbearing/MOLLE2.html

 
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The core of the the system is…

View attachment 113460

…the Fighting Load Carrier. Sometimes called “flicks” for short, by people who struggle with saying “FLC”.

View attachment 113459

There is a second generation FLC that includes a front zip to close it as well as the chest and waist buckles. This allows for more form fitting wear.

View attachment 113461
 

Both styles have a removable padded waist belt that adjusts. Mesh from panels with pals mountings. Adjustable rear H-harness and a simple slot pocket on inside each side of the vest.

FLC was produced in Woodland, 3 colour desert, Coyote (USMC), UCP and OCP patterns.

View attachment 113462

 
Dan Robinson said:
Actually learnt a few things in that video - I didn't realise you were supposed to weave the straps on the pouches for one.  Wonder if I will have time tonight before tomorrow to re run it all on my rigs.
Click to expand...
Though it's a nice way to quickly attach pouches while you're configuring a new piece of kit and you just need to figure out if the placements work before you commit to weaving it properly. 

 
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Lies!! M83/SAAV was the start of "tacticool" and will fight any child of 3-6 years of age that says otherwise!

 
Okay a few more bits about the FLC.

The belt is fully removable and makes a decent battle belt. They were some of the de facto earliest molle battle belts.

The belt can be installed with the buckle at the back and pouches installed across the front opening making a cheap cheats rig/Rhodesian style set up.

Pouches:

Pouch, magazine M16a2, double (30 round)

The initial issue M16 molle mag pouch is copied from the twin mag pouch on the IIFS vest.

View attachment 115578
 

Task & purpose red circle is the molle version sat along side the IIFS.

View attachment 115579
 

3x2 pals on the back.

Other than being modular they function just like the earlier fixed vest version.

View attachment 115580

They were also issued as part of the “failed” molle 1 programme and sometimes turn up labelled as such, ie just MOLLE.

Mine are all pretty snug with two P-mags and it’s easier to insert a mag behind the first one. The lid full wraps the sides so dirt is kept out.

View attachment 115746

A big ass twiddly speed loader will fit but it’s a bit of a struggle to do in action.

The Velcro on my 15-20 year old pouches still hold it closed and you also have a press stud and pull loop.

The press studs go a nice shiny brass finish with use so they will keep elderly players very happy.

The labels in the woodland pattern mag pouches note M16a2 weapon. 

I’ve only ever seen this type of pouch as official issue in woodland pattern. 
 

View attachment 115600

M4 double mag pouch CQB

These are a later design than the above style and may have started as a commercial product by SDS/BAE. They were adopted in all US camo patterns and are the style most future designs are modelled on.

View attachment 115673

2x3 pals on the back, drain grommet and large Velcro flap lid. There is also strong elastic compression that will grip a single magazine and it’s quite hard to get two USGI mags in a new pouch.

Simple, very effective and still issued.

 
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Molle II, pouch, grenade, hand

This is the drag pouch and was issued as part of the Rifleman set.

View attachment 115656

View attachment 115657

Again the design is brought over from the IIFS vest but with 2x2 pals on the back.

View attachment 115754

Retention is by press stud and there is a slot inside for the grenade spoon. A handy sized pouch for a lenstatic compass or field dressings.

This pouch was also produced in Coyote Brown by LB technologies, along with some other types of pouch. I’m not sure if that was for the USMC or purely as a commercial enterprise.* An update will cover this under AITES  marked gear.

 
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Molle II, M4 three mag side x pouch

ie. the triple shingle.

View attachment 115658

Flat pocket design with pals on the front for stacking and press stud closed tabs to retain mags. The tabs were sometimes cut off and replaced by bungie loops.

There are single mag shingles out there but these seem to be part of the SPEAR development and we’re made with bungie retention. In pictures I’ve seen they show up with FSBE vessts and the early molle IBA carriers and could be aftermarket.

A version of medic vest included some unique magazine pouches. Essentially an enlarged double (now triple) mag pouch with a Frag pocket and utility pouch sewn on the sides. There are left and right models.

View attachment 115659

I ripped this images from the USMilitariaforum as I’ve not been able to find these in the UK. I’m not sure how commonly these appeared as not every medic vest shows them.

 
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The issue of molle gear was not complete by the time of the 2nd Gulf war and it’s common to see troops with FLC/interceptor molle mag pouches and then ALICE canteen covers etc attached.

The fit on pals webbing but can be a bit loose. But there is an adaptor available to give a tighter fit.

View attachment 115666
 

The USMC also have a dedicated K-Bar molle adaptor (of course).

IBA worn with IIFS vest. 

View attachment 115661
 

The initial MOLLE patent is from 1996 with roll out from 1997 onwards, with a considerable overlap in ALICE/IIFS/MOLLE use.

View attachment 115663
 

https://arsof-history.org/articles/19oct_body_armor_page_1.html

A woodland ALICE/M1967 type butt pack was issued specifically for molle. It does not use pals however and has the same attachment hardware as the IIFS field training pack.

The difference is the internal skirt is Olive fabric. Presumably cheaper or they’d run out of woodland nylon?

A comparison  is given here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4cayKlbiVQ

 
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MOLLE, Pouch, 9mm Magazine (single) 

A thin nylon pouch closed with a press stud, similar to the ALICE one. Pretty specific to the M9 magazine and not a great fit for much else, maybe small pyro smokes.

View attachment 115748

Personally given the cost of airsoft pistol magazines I can’t recommend using them unless you must have the official pistol man loadout.

 
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40mm Grenade pouch (Single/Double)

View attachment 115755
 

Both types of Thump gun ammo pouches are open at the base so without modification not that useful for anything other than moscart shells. The open base may make dirt and debris ingress a more likely too.

They are cheap, pretty common and often in mint condition.

 
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Pouch, 100 round / 100 round utility

View attachment 115764

2 pals columns but actually 3x3 space wise. 
 

These are two distinct names but functionally the same.

View attachment 115768View attachment 115767
 

A nylon box with reinforced sides, much like an ALICE mag pouch.

The lid fully enclosed the top and is secured with a side release buckle, drain grommet in the base. The utility pouch comes in USMC coyote Brown.

A solid general purpose pouch that will fit an IFAK. They were issued in pairs as part of the SAW gunner setup along with two 200 round pouches.

200 round saw gunner pouch

A bigger brother to the above pouch that will hold a 200 M249 drum.

View attachment 115769

There are a couple of NSN’s for these as well.

4x4 pals. These make a good addition to a pack as they are just a little smaller than a sustainment pouch. They will hold 6xUSGI M16 magazines or a 100-150 rounds of 7.62 link.

Venture surplus likes his saw pouches (the FLC).



 
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Pouch canteen carrier utility 

View attachment 117015View attachment 117016
 

An excellent bit of kit. This pouch occupies the columns by two rows of pals webbing.

With the top flap tucked away it will hold a 1 quart canteen, cup, stove stand with room for after maker lid if you don’t want to use foil.

With the top flap in place this pouch will hold five Issue M16 magazines. It also has a draw cord to cinch the top in to secure single items.

Earlier versions of US Canteen covers were used as magazine carriers so this is a logical development.
 

Kip mat foam can be used to line it as an NOD case and several forms made padded liners for that purpose. 
 

The two external pockets are velcro fastened and are big enough to hold a small dressing, folded spork or drink satchets.

View attachment 117018

The AITES system was included an upgraded version with an extract outside pocket and is lined for a bit more protection.

 
MOLLE II WAIST PACK

View attachment 117494

The MOLLE take on the field training/buttpack. It’s a departure from the previous style that hadn’t changed much from the M1956 model.

View attachment 117507

*NB there is a “molle” traditionally styled butt pack. It’s basically the same as the IIFS model and doesn’t use PALS specific attachments.

The molle waist pack is a simple tube with a double action zip on the outside (with covering flap), two short pals attachment points and wrap around compression straps.

Horizontal Zip opening

View attachment 117503
 

Pals fittings and sleeve with stowed away waist belt.

View attachment 117504
 

Capacity is a bit less than the older packs. I can just about jam a poncho liner in this. The shape and fastening also means the volume is less versatile in what can be stowed. 
 

The compression straps are really the only means to add kit on the outside, unlike older styles.

Waist belt extended 

View attachment 117505

The waist belt does turn it into a useful standalone bag and it can quickly be fitted to the Molle II patrol and assault packs. 
 

It’s low height means it will slit well on the lower back of the FLC and not push up a small pack worn above it. This seems to be the intended design purpose.

It was produced in the standard array of camo patterns: Woodland,;Desert Tri-Color; UCP & OCP.

 
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