You will never appreciate having a proper set of medical supplies on hand until you have been wounded or seen someone you care about get wounded. Before I start this article, I will just say that you need to be trained in how to use these items before you just grab them and think you will know what to do. And it is important to practice using these items after getting training. Failure to do both of these things will result in you being less than useful when it really matters. With that said, you preppers and minutemen out there need to have an appropriate first aid kit for the team or situation you are working with. All members should not only be able to provide aid to you with your own IFAK, but also be capable of treating themselves, within reason. Having the right gear for the situation without going full MEDBAG is key, unless you are indeed the team medic.
Condor has a couple of pouches specifically designed the carry shotgun ammo on a tactical vest. I know they don’t make all that many different designs for shotgun ammo due to a lack of purchases generally. Most of the market is split between shock ammo sleeves for hunting or side saddles for self-defense, minuteman style. That said, this pouch carries 25 shells in secure loops and folds up conveniently. It is a single point away from perfect, but is quickly remedied with 550 cord. I am going to give you, the reader, a pretty in-depth look at this pouch in hopes that you will appreciate it for what it is.
Mil-Tec produces budget gear that fulfils the needs of airsoft players, but also military gear enthusiasts. I mostly have experience with their accessories and reproduction gear. The Army Gloves they make are very affordable at $25 on www.military1st.com and I wanted to see if this Germany-based company could indeed produce a product that would satisfy MY needs on the range. I always am in need of good sturdy and functional range gloves, and with there being a general lack of recent and detailed reviews on this product, I figured it would only shed better light on the realistic performance of this budget glove from across the pond.
The Czech M10M is the one mask that I have put more time into in the last 6 months than any other mask in my life, so far. It cost just under $40 on eBay for the mask, filters, bag, and drinking caps for a canteen. I have used this mask for exercise, for training, and just to wear it and see what it would be like to live out of it. I am going to share my experiences of the last few months with you and let you decide if this mask has the right stuff for your needs.
A gas mask on its own just seems like a collector’s item or a fine utilitarian piece of gear. Training on its own sounds like a good thing that encourages progress in a way that is challenging and rewarding. When you mix gas mask and training, you typically get people thinking about difficulty breathing, narrow vision, and absolute misery. This is a knee jerk reaction that unfortunately gets people to steer away from one of the best types of training that they could be getting exposed to.
The Olight PL Pro needs no special introduction since it has been out for a little while now. Plenty of reviewers have shown you the basics of how it works and functions, so I will glaze over those details so we can get to the meat and potatoes of the subject.
I got the Helikon BDU pants because they were not only inexpensive, but also promised to be a faithful recreation of the original US BDU pant. I wanted a good BDU pant that would withstand the stresses I typically put on my pants. They need to allow me a good range of motion, survive being frozen, wet, and hot for long periods of time. The stitching needs to withstand strains of my movement and friction from impacts, snagging brush, etc. These are the standards I set for these BDUs to pass.
In the absence of ALICE clips, whatever the reason, you may find yourself trying to find a lightweight and reliable way to secure your pouches. Well, I have just the technique for you, my friends. It is just going to require about 20in. of 550 cord per pouch, a lighter, and electrical/duct tape.
ALICE is often labeled as old gear that is all but useless today. Perhaps ALICE is old and less convenient than the MOLLE system, but I have not found it to inhibit my ability to fight. Now throw on a plate carrier and a pouch for everything you think you need, and we have a problem. ALICE was not just created in a vacuum where people had no concept of the importance of comfort and speed reloads. In fact, the ALICE mag pouches were made to facilitate speed reloads in all climates and conditions without having to stare at the pouch.
I am not going to pretend that ALICE is perfect just the way it is/was. Just like anything designed to be used by man, it struggled to appease everyone. For the civilians out there, like myself, ALICE is a design that can be very beneficial to our needs even if the military gave it up over a decade ago. Whether it is for airsoft, LARPing, or prepping as a militia force, ALICE can still help kick some serious ass. Realistically, ALICE is the O.G. battle belt system, so with a few low budget upgrades, I am sure you will appreciate what it can do for you.
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Do It RiteAlaska-Based Youtube Vlogger, Retired Marine, Firearm and Gear Tester. Archives
December 2023
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