Kydex M1 Garand clip holder - interested?

[Ian]

I've been shooting rifle matches with a Garand, and the thing I'm having the most trouble with is finding a handy way to store extra clips on my body. All the options I've seen (primarily the old USGI ammo belts and Carbine/Garand/1911 2-mag/clip pouches) have been significantly slower than the common mag pouches for box magazines.

Today I spoke with the fellow who runs Center of Mass Tactical about the possibility of making a kydex belt holder for one or two M1 clips, as well as a holder to keep a clip on the side of the rifle, for easy prone reloading. He told me that if I could arrange to order a dozen such holders, he would be willing to make them (fewer than that and it's not worth the time to design a product that isn't in much demand). We didn't nail down an exact design (I gave him a couple M1 clips to tinker with), but it would basically hold two clips on a belt by friction (no snaps), positioned for quick access (our thought was to position the clips with the cartridges pointing about 45 degrees down and forward). Price would be between $20 and $30.

So, I'm looking for anyone who would be interested in such a product. If enough people are tenatively interested (pending the exact price and design), we can get these made.

If you would be interested in getting one or more such clip holders, please contact me by private message.

Thanks!

PS - I don't have any affiliation with COM Tactical, and I wouldn't be making any money from this - I just want to get myself two of these holders.

Edit - Added link to COM Tactical website

 

[Jmurman]

sounds interesting, I'd like to see a photo of one.

 

[Atlas Shrug]

Ian,

I just walked in minutes ago from the local gun show. One of the things that I looked for (unsuccessfully) was something to hold Garand enblocs. I have the 1923 belt and it's OK, but I'm always looking for something else. For now, these plus the Australian 7.62 F4 bandoleers are my solution.

Depending upon what he comes up with, I'd be interested. A two clip holder sounds better, but of course it all depends upon implementation.

I'm not sure why the clips need to be angled, though. For me, I don't use angled pistol mag pouches as I'm not a "gamer" with such guns. Using a vertically held enbloc may also result in a more versatile result. Just ideas.

Also, the rifle mounted version could be interesting. Again, the final implementation is key.

They should be designed so that both .30-06 AND 7.62/.308 can be used in the same rig (should the guy want to maximize his investment, anyway). Personally I'd prefer them to be shorter for 7.62, but I'd be willing to compromise if the product is good.

Please keep us posted.

 

[Ian]

Jmurman - I don't have a photo, as none have been made yet.

Atlas - The rationale behind the angling is to allow you to grab the clip with a grip as close as possible to the one needed to shove it into the rifle. Having the clip held vertically means that you have to shift your grip on it a bit between grabbing it and loading it (this doesn't apply to pistol mags, because you load them differently than M1 clips). It's not a really big deal, but I do plan to use these for gaming, so I want every advantage in the design. Also, the plan is to have them functional with either .30-06 or .308.

Basically, if I can find a handful of people like you who are tenatively interested, then COM and I will finalize the design and price, which I'll post at that point. Then if enough people (specifically, 12 or more holders worth) are willing to place orders, COM will make a batch.

 

[Keaner]

Sure, I'll go in on one! Let me know whats up. $30 is good for me, any more and I'd have to think about it.

 

[nbkky71]

Sounds like a good idea Ian. it would definately be faster than a bandolier or a GI cartridge belt. How about something like a moon clip holder? It could use friction to wedge in between the two rows of .30-06 rounds. Here's a pic I saw on cactus tactical:

I've got to ask...what kind of comps are you shooting in where you'd need rapid access to multiple en-blocks? The only thing that I could think of would be a rattle-battle.

I shoot my M1 in our clubs highpower matches once in a while. I simply place the spare enbloc near my body (rather than on it) when shooting the sitting & prone rapids.

 

[ACP230]

I'd be interested if the price wasn't too high.
Had the M1 out on Veteran's Day and it made me think about shooting it more often.

 

[student]

Try a Vietnam era M79 ammo vest, very cheap these days ( I think it was less than 15bucks), and quite comfortable even in the heat. They should hold 22 (or something in this ballpark) en bloc clips. Makes for a good combat load vest and they are easily accessible and no cheesy velcro, just real buttons. En blocs will certainly stay in place in this setup. Do a google search, I got mine from sportsmans guide or CTD a while ago. To me it is the ultimate for time at the range or if the red balloon goes up.

 

[Ian]

student - Personally, I'm not looking for something to hold a lot of ammo, just something to keep a couple clips accessible for a really fast reload.

ACP230 & Keaner - Thanks. I'll make sure to let you know as things progress.

nbkky71 - Those moon clip holders look pretty similar to what I was picturing. FWIW, the competitions I'm planning to use these for are 3-gun and IPSC rifle. Lots of movement, and when limited to 8 rounds, lots of reloads on the clock (stages run between 10 and 40 rounds).

 

[Devonai]

FYI a standard ALICE M16 3-mag pouch holds six M1 clips quite well, but a Kydex 1 or 2 clip holder would be awesome. I'm not sure I'd pay $20-$30, however.

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

Frostee gear makes these. they hold 8, one per subbocket. two rows.

pm or email me if you want his contact info.

 

[Ian]

Andrew - I already have a vest with pouches along those lines ordered. What I'm looking for is a no-closure belt holder for run-n-gun matches.

 

[JShirley]

Hm.

I'd bet there'd be even more market for M1 Carbine and FN-FAL kydex belt holders.

John

 

[Ian]

John - COM and 3 Gun Gear both make FAL mag pouches, and I expect several other folks do too. Don't know about M1 carbine ones, though...

 

[JShirley]

Ian, thanks for the tip.

 

[Ian]

Well, I have about a dozen people who've expressed an interest, which was my minimum. I've sent an email to COM asking them to go ahead and work up a final design and exact price quote. I should have it sometime next week.

Thanks all!

 

[Trumpet]

*cough*make 'em OD*cough*