Overview

Costs

Item: Blue Alpha MOLLE Battle Belt
Price: $154.97 – $171.97 USD ($154.97 as configured)
Vendor: https://www.bluealphabelts.com/product/molle-1-75-battle-belt/

Item: Holster
Price: $49.00 — $51.00 USD ($51 as configured)
Vendor: https://safariland.com/products/model-5198-open-top-concealment-paddle-belt-loop-holster-with-detent-30575

Item: Rifle Magazine Pouch x 1
Price: $28.00 – $53.50 USD (each, $51.00 as configured)
Vendor:https://safariland.com/products/model-774-rifle-magazine-pouch-11184

Item: Pistol Magazine Pouch x 2
Price: $52.50 – $64.00 USD (each, $64 as configured)
Vendor: https://safariland.com/products/model-773-competition-open-top-magazine-pouch-11183

Item: Clip-on Belt Loop x 3
Price: $21.00 USD (each)
Vendor: https://safariland.com/products/model-744bl-clip-on-belt-loop-1123713

Item: Belt Keeper
Price: $20.75 USD (pack of 4)
Vendor: https://safariland.com/products/model-7406-belt-keeper-pack-of-4-29656

Total: $468.72 USD

*All prices are as of the writing of this article. Prices subject to change at vendor discretion.
**Vendor(s) identified are only listed to show where I sourced the item(s) from.

Intent

Put together a belt that could be used for a multitude of purposes including steel shoot and 2-gun, but be customizable enough for future needs such as 3-gun or SHTF.

My Perspective

Blue Alpha Belt

I already had the Blue Alpha belt from a prior purchase. I had acquired it, knowing I was going to build this belt, but didn’t get around to it for about a year. The belt itself is very sturdy and comes with an inner Velcro belt that have been using for EDC. When I want to put the outer belt on, it is as simple is putting it around my waist, aligning it with the Velcro, and buckling it.

The buckle on the outer belt is very sturdy and is easily separated, if done properly. This is by design so that it does not accidently come undone. The only thing I would change about this belt, would be the addition of a magnet between the outer and inner belt. Ideally, this would be placed on the back side of the belt, aligned with the spine. This way, it would be easier to repeatedly place the outer belt in the same spot, every time. I say this, well aware of the loss of size adjustability. That sounds like a DIY project I work on another day.

Holster

Safariland holsters are known and used around the world. They are tough, custom to your firearm, and come in many varieties. I already had a duty holster from them that has their level 3 retention that locks the firearm in the holster until released via a button, and also a hood as an additional level of protection, but I wanted something faster to draw for competition use.

With this model, it features a detent locking system that can be adjusted for how strong the retention is, but does not require moving a hood or pressing a button to draw. Not recommended for duty use but perfect for competitions where you are moving around.

Magazine Pouches

When I hear “magazine pouch” my mind immediately goes to a cloth or canvas type enclosure with a Velcro or button hood that goes over it to secure the magazine. Not optimal for competition use where every second matters. Instead, these are friction secured magazines holders that are adjustable, allowing you to customize the level of retention desired.

When ordering the magazine pouches, you are presented with several options including what type of magazine and how you want to attach them to your belt, if at all. I chose the option to include the Equipment Locking System (ELS) fork and receiver. ELS is what really makes this whole thing customizable. More on that later.

I opted for 1 AR15 magazine and two Glock magazine holsters. This is suitable enough to get started in Steel Shoot, and customizable enough to be used for other scenarios. For example, I have tested this belt at NRL22 matches where I am shooting an AR15 chambered in 22lr. In several scenarios, you are required to change your magazine during the string. So for this use, I keep the AR15 magazine holster but remove the Glock holsters via the ELS forks, while maintaining their positioning for future use via the Clip-on belt loops.

Clip-on Belt Loops

These items are what allow you to easily move your equipment, in this case magazine pouches, while still retaining a secure fit. They fasten around the outer belt and clip together, utilizing friction to maintain position. They are very solid and come with spacers to allow fitting to multiple belt sizes up to 2.25 inches wide. This is what you attach the ELS receiver to, before attaching it to your belt.

Belt Keeper

Coming in a pack of four, I find these to be handy for keeping excess length from straps from just flopping around. More secure than Velcro, these feature buttons that keep them fastened. This does lead to loss of flexibility with what you can use them for, but for my needs, it was worth the tradeoff.

Other Comments

I have several pistol holsters from them, each with the accessories to utilize their Quick Locking System (QLS). QLS is for larger items like holsters, while ELS is for smaller items like magazine pouches. This makes it extremely easy to swap holsters, or not use one at all like when I am doing NRL22, while maintaining a repeatable position for them.

Conclusion

Again, several manufacturers make systems like this that would serve as viable alternatives. For example, I have personally used T.Rex Arms magazine holsters with a similar capability to quickly add, remove, and adjust accessories. In the end, I decided to stick with Safariland because that is who I have the most experience with.

I really like the features and customizability of this belt setup and think you should consider them in your next belt configuration.

Stay tuned for future updates and enhancements. Maybe I do work on that magnet system for quick belt alignment.