Panels vs. Pouches

[Ares]

Who prefers a pouch with a retaining flap over an open-top panel? (maybe with an elastic cord retainer) Why?  

I've always found panels to be better because, in my mind, lack of retention = faster mag access.

So i'm curious, why do some prefer pouches?

[Raith]

It depends on what you're doing, I think.  I have 2 open top kydex retention pouches for speed and 3 dual M4 mag pouches for more security.  I feed the open top ones from the flapped pouches.

It comes down to preference, I guess.  I find that the flapped mag pouches are faster for me than dicking with a elastic cord retainer.

[Ares]

I do something similar, I feed my rail-mag with the mags from my normal panels. I guess in the scheme of things it takes no more time to flip up a flap than it does to move an elastic band.

However, I usually move the bands aside before the game starts so I can just grab 'n go.

BUT...2x1 pouches are slimmer, overall, than 2 stacked panels.

perhaps a pouch with the elastic retention is what I need.
 
In terms of LC, does the gameplay demand more security, or fast reloading?

[GUNFIGHTER6]

Just my two cents, but I prefer to have a flap.  First off it helps to minimize the amount of debris that will get into your magazine.  Second it gives you much more retention, and therefore will help to ensure that your magazines are still there when you need them.  I was always taught to reload from a postion of cover, so being able to reload in under a second is not a huge priority for me.

[Firehead]

If you get a good magazine shingle, you won't get anything in the magazine. I rocked magazine shingles for my M4 in Afghanistan, and I never had a problem of getting nasty gunk and shit in my magazines, and the dirt there is like moon dust. I find it best to use both, personally. Something similar to Raiths kit. Its good to have magazines that you can get IMMEDIATE access to, and to use the pouches with flaps to replenish your shingles. The difference to some people may also be how you load the magazines into the pouches. If you have your rounds and the top, you would want something with flaps, if you load them rounds down, shingles will work just fine. IMO, a good magazine shingle won't have retention problems. I use Battlelab shorty magazine shingles, and they have something to grip them on the inside, as well as a tight retention cord(which also has the grip stuff on it). I love em, and the work great. Coyote Tactical has my preference for mag pouches with flaps.

[Ares]

Awesome! Thanks for the input. I run ranger plates, so rounds down is the way I keep em.

I think I'll try a combo, I never end up needing more than 2 or 3 mags at most per engagement. 2 in the weapon, and two as immediate backup will be fine.

[BLKKROW89]

I have open pouches with para cord made my gandef, and i love the ease to get the Mag's out, but one thing i worry about is once i have one out. will the other magazine fall out. It seems to me atleast that the flap would be good, and the para cord technique wold work. It is all user prefrence

[Brando]

I use shingles and flapped pouches.  Like they said if its a good shingle nothing will get in the mag if its bbs down.

[azsarge]

I've never used shingles.

I run 2xmag pouches with a flap and elastic, like Eagle or Paraclete.

If I plan on needing a quick mag, I tuck the flaps into the pouch and run them with an open top.

That said, I have yet to encounter ANYONE in an airsoft game that reloads that quickly regardless of pouch type, AND I have yet to be in a situation where it was necessary at all.

It's not life and death, people.  Use all the time and energy spent on nitpicking pouches and go run a few miles.

[Blackheart]

That said, I have yet to encounter ANYONE in an airsoft game that reloads that quickly regardless of pouch type, AND I have yet to be in a situation where it was necessary at all.

I use flaps and have also found no real need for such speed to reload. That said, it only takes me a few seconds to pull the old mag and replace it from the pouch. The security of the flap to keep my mags secure while I run is worth the extra second it takes to open one.

[USNSEAL986]

I use flaps cause it keeps my mags from falling out and to keep the dust out.