Once you do change, make sure you practice (beyond going to the range) with the new set-up to create muscle memory. I've seen it time and time again on the range or during a scenario where agents/officers have moved gear and reach for the original location under stress.
People have different likes and dislikes so whatever works for you, fine. I'm just curious why you find it better to have them horizontal? I would think other gear on your belt would get in the way.
As far as those tactical holsters so many seem to like. I hated them. They got caught up on way too many things when crawling through tight spaces. One year, we even had an Army Special Forces unit come down to Key Largo give us some training for working in the woods. They even said they found the tactical holsters a disadvantage for the same reason and to include the disadvantage when it comes to weapons retention.
About the only time I wore the thigh holster was when wearing the heavy tactical vest we had to wear for a Warrant Entry Team, then the vest hung down so low that a hip holster was a problem.
Just some thoughts and questions....
Stay safe out there.
Don
This message has been edited. Last edited by: 21yrsUSCGUSCS,
After 10 years in Civilian LE, having the magizine pouch horizontal is much more natural to retrive your mags. If you get caught in a fire fight and you have to take a knee or take the prone position it is much easier to reload with it horizontal than vertical (where you will have to pull the mag up while you are on it or where your vest is in the way). Yes it takes practice, but under stressfull/tactical situations it is a more natural draw. But the bottom line is "what you are comfortable with"!
I have always preferred my magazines sideways because it is more natural to slide the mags out that way. Try it, many would be surprised.
I'm also short and it seems to work better for me when I'm wearing a float coat. I posted here because it seems quite common for individuals to say "you cant have that sideways" and I was just making sure I was within policy
As a uniformed Po Po and with the Marshals, we tucked in our coats/raid jackets or folded the bottom of the jacket so that it sat behind the mag pouch, radio, baton, OC, etc. I personally didn't have enough spare room on my belt to carry mags horizontally. Personal preference I guess.
The USBP actually instructs their new agents to carry mags horizontally on the weapon side.
Originally posted by FedRich: The USBP actually instructs their new agents to carry mags horizontally on the weapon side.
Smart move, I carried mine like that right after my very first trip to the range over 20 years ago. Dropping to my strong knee for a reload locked up the holder if it was vertical on the weak side. A few years ago some desk jockey had changed it to state "vertical only", I'm glad someone who did a boarding or two was involved with the re-write to change it back.
Ah, you learn something new everyday. Sounds like some good reasons for the horizontal mount. Me, being out of shape these days, the belly might dictate a horizontal magazine mount!
The horizontal mount is more comfortable and seems more proficient in most cases. Although I have seen them get hung up more that way especially when its rough, dark and climbing from one boat to another. You may also want to check your Sector SOP or TAC Notes, I know some Sectors prohibit wearing the magazines horizontal.
I train new LE officers and most mimick what/how/where experienced officers wear their gear. I train that you need to prioritize what gear you need in order of frequency of use and accessibility in case of emergency. We rarely use our sidearms but it needs to be highly accessible. I've seen CG LE get back from the BO school with their magazines at their kidneys. They obviously need to go up front. I use my handcuffs vastly more frequently than my baton so they are strategically placed in front for quick use. Prioritze what you need, keep it all accessible, and don't do like you see on cops -- don't hang your cuffs off a keeper in the back -- spend $10 on another case!
On my belt for CBP, I had my weapon, two mags, my flashlight (streamlight), ASP, motorola radio, small container for rubber gloves, cellphone, and my cuffs. I would wear my cuffs in the small of my back but I don't think that is the best place for it as my back often hurt from pounding in the seats on the boats. I always wondered how my back would make out with those cuffs there if I were ever rear-ended in a car accident.
We were issued those radiation detectors too but where the heck was I going to put that? That was the only positive about putting on a little weight was more belt room!
Besides worrying about overspray, that was a reason why I never carried pepperspray...lack of room on my belt. I went with the ASP instead.
Vertical, support side for me. I tried horizontal carry for a while; didn't like it; nor as someone said, muscle memory was for vertical. Believe me, if I need a magazine in a hurry - it will be got! We even practice one handed (as if injured) those magazines do come out of the pouch! Don- we aren't allowed cell phones in the primary/secondary inspection areas - not like you boaters...
I have numerous off-duty holster/mag pouch combos; a nice holster for an inside waistband carry is the Galco Walkabout, holds the gun and one magazine together IWB.
Originally posted by Nobodyaskedmebut: Don- we aren't allowed cell phones in the primary/secondary inspection areas - not like you boaters...
Too many times Sector needed to talk to us about warrants and/or criminal history.
I have numerous off-duty holster/mag pouch combos; a nice holster for an inside waistband carry is the Galco Walkabout, holds the gun and one magazine together IWB.
I often use "Thunderwear". Sounds ridiculous but it works....a pouch with a velcro waistband for your weapon and a spare mag worn inside the front of your pants. Just don't wear tight jeans.
[QUOTE]Originally posted by 21yrsUSCGUSCS: On my belt for CBP, I had my weapon, two mags, my flashlight (streamlight), ASP, motorola radio, small container for rubber gloves, cellphone, and my cuffs. I would wear my cuffs in the small of my back but I don't think that is the best place for it as my back often hurt from pounding in the seats on the boats. I always wondered how my back would make out with those cuffs there if I were ever rear-ended in a car accident. ----------------------
Another little tid-bit...be carefull of the gear being stored in the middle of your back. I know 2 seperate LEO's that injured thier low back when they got into a scuffle and fell on thier backs.
I have carried them both ways, and both ways work for different reasons. Bottom line is, any method of doing anything will have a downside and someone will point it out. My BM1 at my first station used to get at me all the time for carrying them horizontal, thinking they were going to fall out all the time. I challenged him to find where it was out of policy and he never could. Everyone talks about the challenges of shooting from your stomach and all that, but in the vast majority of OIS's, the shooters are less than ten feet apart and the shootout lasts about five seconds. I say put them however you are most comfortable in a standing position, then work out how you will function in another position. Each method has a drawback, and someone will tell you theirs is better, especially in LE where everyone has an opinion.
Originally posted by CoccoC: Another little tid-bit...be carefull of the gear being stored in the middle of your back. I know 2 seperate LEO's that injured thier low back when they got into a scuffle and fell on thier backs.
Great advice especially for boardings where there are a lot of objects: gunwales, deck equipment, etc. that are the same height. The only thing I carry in the middle of my back is a glove pouch.
Since the vast majority of my time is spent in plainclothes, I travel light.
