Just when you thought magazine pouches were mostly the same, Comp-Tac changes the game. Comp-Tac worked closely with Rob Leatham and designed its new Tri-Mag Pouch for competition and self-defense. In the video shown below, Comp-Tac General Manager Gordon Carrel and R&D Manager Brian Luna talk with Rob about the Tri-Mag Pouch’s design, as well as why you should always carry an extra mag.
The Next Step in Mag Pouches
Rob says he was looking for the next step in mag pouches. Something new and different. He told Brian what he wanted, and it wasn’t long before he had his hands on one. Brian came up with the all-Kydex belt-mounted Tri-Mag Pouch just like Rob described.
The mount is slightly curved and flexible to fit individual contours and placements. Right and left-handed models are available.
Each of the three mag holsters has a 40-degree adjustment, up to 20 degrees forward or reverse. Rob explains that the cant is designed for different body types. A belt rides level on skinnier folks, so the mag holsters will naturally ride at 90 degrees straight up and down. But heavier folks’ belts tend to angle down toward the front. So, the cant allows adjustment for that if needed.
Each holster is flared slightly at the top for easier insertion and a front slot facilitates removal in difficult positions. The holsters are all retention adjustable. Rob says that’s important because competition shooters want very little retention while concealed carriers will want more. “The only difference between tactical and competition,” he notes, “is tactical is competition with retention.” Each holster is also ride height adjustable. The holsters are spaced for easy purchase, but not so far that you have to reach.
Easing the retention for competition is key since reloads are often more important than the initial draw. The right mag pouch can save those fractions of a second that win a match.
The New Tri-Mag Pouch Works for Self-Defense Too
Competition shooters think about those things, but self-defense shooters often do not. Mag pouches are usually an afterthought. I’m as guilty of that as anyone. But Rob made a point that I had never thought about, despite carrying regularly for years.
The main reason to carry an extra mag, or mags, for self-defense isn’t to reload. Studies show that the average ammo expenditure in a self-defense situation is six rounds. There’s always the outlier, but six is the norm. So, your carry gun’s 15, 16, or 17-round capacity is cool, right? Wrong.
Malfunctions Happen…
Even if the gun is perfectly reliable, mags fail or individual rounds may not feed. Rob has even seen people induce jams and malfunctions when they’re under stress. If your sidearm malfunctions and you eject the mag to clear it, better to have a fresh mag on your belt that try to use one that may be malfunctioning.
Not to mention that the ejected mag may hit the ground. Have a backup. As Rob says, “the extra mag is there if something goes wrong with the starting loadout. Seconds in a match cost you a match. Seconds in a fight cost something much more valuable than a trophy.”
It’s important to practice mag changes for self-defense and competition. Rob says that he might take a chance to gain a little extra time in a match, but never in a tactical situation. He says to never sacrifice reload reliability for a little speed. If it takes three seconds to reload, it takes three seconds. You can work on that. But always learn proper technique first and don’t chase microseconds. Better to take an extra second than to drop your mag and not reload at all. If you drop your mag, you’re left with “a pretty ineffective hammer.” Self-defense is a different mindset even though the techniques are the same.
Check out the video below. Rob has some good insights on why he wanted the new Comp-Tac Tri-Mag Pouch a certain way and how to properly use it. Happy shooting, y’all.