There are three major brands of double mag pouch that can be found laying around Gun Nuts HQ: Comp-Tac, BLACKHAWK! and Blade-Tech, each one works a little bit different and each one works better for different people. Here’s a look at how the three have treated me:
Comp-Tac
The Comp-Tac double mag pouch is nice both aesthetically and functionally. I find them easy to draw from because of the spacing of the mags and I think they look sporty. The issue is the same spacing that makes them convenient to draw from forces the pouch to sit too wide for my body shape, wearing the Comp-Tac double mag pouch for more than an hour or two causes a bruise to form on my hip, even in my CR Speed Belt where I have a layer of velcro between the plastic and me.
BLACKHAWK!
For most applications the BLACKHAWK! mag pouches work just fine. The back has a clip that can be adjusted for belt size, unlike the Comp-Tac which must be ordered to the correct belt size. The problem is the clip arrangement on the back of the BLACKHAWK! pouches actually prevent them from working well on a CR Speed Belt. They are clearly designed for normal leather gun belts; when placed on my competition belt, even at the loosest setting, the mag pouch sticks out sideways because the belt is too thick for the clip design. I will, however, use these when I’m just wandering around work with my leather Comp-Tac belt.
Blade-Tech
The Blade-Tech mag pouches fit all my belts the best. They are easy to draw from and work well in every competition setting I’ve come across, they stack close together on my belt and are still easy to get to. The only catch I’ve found is that, unless you install a Tek-Lok or buy one with it already installed, you have to slide the pouch onto your belt which can be inconvenient if you are degunning/regunning several times a day. The good news is you can readily purchase the pouches with a Tek-Lok already installed.
Multiple single pouch works better for me.
I had a blade-tec double mag pouch for M&P 9 and the tension is never right, one good one always loose because there’s only one tension screw in the middle.
Sent it back and returned in the same condition.
The Comp-Tac is definitely the best of the lot; but the downsize is that it takes up the most real-estate on your belt.
This is why I prefer the Comp-Tac singles. Can space them much closer together, with no detriment to your reloading speed, or risk of yard sales.
+1 on Single Pouches…
Comp-Tac works perfectly for me in IDPA, I only need 2 pouches on the belt and for us “larger” gentleman it is comfortable to wear all day.
But as you say it takes a lot of space so for USPSA its lots of single pouches for me.
Not a comp question how would the Blackhawk! and Blade-Tech work for C. Carry ? Do they stick to out from the body ? Haven’t seen one in person but in pics the Tek-Lok looks to make the older stick out abit.
They’re not great for concealed carry because they’re bloody bulky as hell.
Shelley/Caleb,
I usually carry one extra magazine on my belt for CCW… and thoughts on options for that situation? I have a Galco leather single-mag holder and it’s been good, but getting worn and soft so I’m looking for something better.
Dann in Ohio