Magazine Pouch

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A magazine pouch is a tool that, as its name implies, is made to maintain a magazine in place. It is typically used to carry an additional magazine. Since the invention of weapons, ammunition has been stored in pouches in a variety of shapes and sizes.

The invention of the first weapon with a detachable magazine, the Savage 99, led to the idea of magazines in handguns. However, the Gatling gun, which was created in 1861, provides the first actual example of the magazine. This in-depth guide about magazine pouches aims to explain what a magazine pouch is and how to pick one out for yourself.

What To Consider When Choosing The Best Magazine Pouch

While it’s easy to assume that all magazine pouches offer similar performance, a number of factors affect their functionality. Features like size, weight, material, and organization can make one better for a particular situation than another option.

Size

Magazine pouches come in many sizes, so it’s important to find one that fits your needs. If you’d prefer to keep things lightweight, go with something smaller in capacity but larger in weight; if security is an issue, look for features like metal zippers or locking clasps.

Smaller capacities mean less content, which could put some users at risk. However, this also means fewer magazines, and other items to lose. It might be worth considering whether convenience outweighs security when selecting a small pouch.
Larger capacities mean more stuff inside, but they’re heavier and bulkier, making them harder to carry around. Smaller pouches are easier to manage, especially during travel.

Material

Most magazine pouches are made from plastic, nylon, leather, or Cordura. Each material has its own benefits and considerations.

Plastic pouches tend to be lighter weight and generally cheaper compared to other materials. They’re not as durable as the others and may tear if dropped on hard surfaces. Plastic also doesn’t hold up well in direct sunlight.
Nylon pouches are stronger than plastic and often have a higher resistance to shock damage. These pouches tend to be thicker and bulkier though they usually weigh less than leather or Cordura pouches.
Leather pouches are tough, reliable, and highly durable. Leather is a natural product, so its quality varies between manufacturers. The smooth surface feels great against the skin and does not snag or irritate. Leather pouches tend to be thickest and heaviest, but they’re also among the most expensive.
Cordura pouches are manufactured using a synthetic nylon fabric woven with corded fibers from recycled tires. This combination makes Cordura very strong and resistant to cuts and tears. Cordura pouches tend to be thinner and lighter weight compared to leather pouches, though they’re still considered rugged.

Organization

A good magazine pouch should allow you to organize what you need without having to get out of the vehicle or pack. For instance, if you’re heading out into the woods on a hunting trip, you’ll want a bag that keeps track of your gun, food, drink, and other supplies. If you’re going camping, you’ll want a bag that has a place to keep your tent, sleeping bag, and other gear. And if you’re going fishing, you’ll want a bag that has a tackle box, snacks, drinks, and other accessories.

Straps

Magazine pouches don’t always come with shoulder straps, but if they do, they’ll likely differ from each other. Some will use traditional webbing, while others might employ a system reminiscent of a backpack. Regardless of the strap type, ensure that it allows for a comfortable fit without causing too much extra weight.

Zippers

Zippers are a vital component of any garment, including shoes, bags, and jackets. Look for a zipper that closes tightly and doesn’t stretch with use. Be sure to check how heavy duty the zipper is before buying. While most will handle light loads fine, overloading it or repeatedly opening and closing it quickly can cause stretching or breakage.

Comfort

The magazine pouch must fit you and your mags snugly because it will always be positioned near to your body. An adjustable mounting location is a nice feature to look for so you may customize it for various circumstances.

Adjustability

Your mag pouch’s flexibility to be adjusted provides versatility and compatibility with a range of platforms and magazines. Similar to this, a bag with good construction will endure longer and won’t break down when it’s most required.

Water Retention

Although many individuals reading this may find this aspect to be fairly insignificant, a water-resistant magazine pouch that lets water to drain out is quite useful in marine or rainy regions. It also helps in lightening the tactical equipment’s total weight. Because of this, the majority of military magazine pouches are just a piece of nylon covered in bungee or Cordura cord.

Types Of Magazine Pouches

There are several different types of magazine pouches on the market. Each has its place, but you need to know what you’re getting into before making a purchase.

Belt loop

The most common type of pouch is belt loops. This style of pouch attaches via velcro or buckles and can be worn at other times when not in use with your firearm. The drawback to this design is that it doesn’t offer much protection against water damage because the flap isn’t secured until you put your pistol inside. If you plan to leave your gun in there for an extended period, this may be acceptable to you.

Paddle

Another option is a paddle-style pouch. These pouches have two flaps which overlap when closed. They also feature a Velcro fastening system so they can be attached quickly without having to worry about latching mechanisms failing due to heat or cold.

This makes paddle pouches easier to carry around during downtime because you don’t have to keep reattaching your latch every time you want to draw your weapon. However, these pouches aren’t as secure as some options since anyone who gets access to your holster will be able to see both pouches and reach between them to grab your pistol if they wanted to. Also, since these pouches rely on overlapping flaps to close, they won’t work well with larger magazines.

Shoulder

A more recent trend is the shoulder rig. This consists of a strap running across the upper back from one side of the neck to the opposite armpit. It features hook-and-loop assemblies to allow the user to adjust the tension. These pouches tend to be smaller than traditional designs and are meant to be carried discreetly while hiking, camping, fishing, etc. Since they are usually only used by one person, theft prevention is less of a concern.

How We Chose Our Top Picks

We started by searching for the best-rated and most popular options available. We limited our search to products that were designed specifically for use in a portable magazine pouch, so you can stuff all of your favorite magazines into one place. In order to choose our top picks for the best magazine pouches on the market today, we looked at several different factors including price, capacity, materials, and more. Capacity is obviously an important factor because if a product isn’t able to hold enough magazines, then it’s useless. So while we wanted to offer a range of prices, we made sure to include some affordable choices as well as ones that will give shoppers more value for their money.

Additionally, because there are no two identical mag pouches in existence, each product has to be customized to fit magazines of various sizes. This was accomplished by doing in-depth product research and sifting through expert data to determine the ideal size and form for each magazine.

Frequently Asked Questions About Magazine Pouches

What is a magazine pouch?

Pouches offer convenience and safety for keeping your magazines and ammunition. Ammo pouches are the ideal multipurpose tool for carrying the necessary equipment for your weapons because they are compatible with guns, shotguns, and grenade launchers.

What are the benefits of using a magazine pouch?

Using a magazine pouch allows you to carry your magazines in an easy-to-use package that protects them from damage and theft. It also helps maintain your equipment’s original factory ammo capacity, meaning fewer costly trips to the range.

How do I use a magazine pouch?

Use the included extension tube to position the pouch over the top of your weapon’s magazine well. Make sure it sits snugly against the bottom of the gun so there aren’t any gaps or openings where moisture could collect and cause rust or corrosion. If you’re right-handed, make sure the muzzle end of the holster is towards your left hip; if you’re left-handed, reverse those directions.

Are magazine pouches worth it for concealed carry?

If you don’t have one yet, get yourself one. They won’t break down like belts do, and they’ll be much easier to clean and store when not in use. You can also purchase a plate carrier with integrated belt loops and/or magazine carriers, which will save you even more money.