Ultimate ZS Battle/Scout Belt Thread

[sigboy40]

Sig, sorry to be so harsh, sometimes I'm too overbearing, so take no offense of my comments. Also if you still working on your belt.

No worries cdnkelly, apology is accepted. I don't like seeing the bigger threads take a dive because an opinionated gentleman gets all mouthy about peoples gear choices. With that out of the way, and now that I don't have a desire to make you feel like a mouth breathing private on zero day, I can address your other concerns.

There is a lot of combat experience that has posted, and added to this thread. And while your observations are valid, I used the term 'Scout Belt' for a reason. While some of the places I go (and grew up) may look like Afghanistan, we are all in the good old USA, I don't have to worry about body armor, Kpots, and all the other things that go along with that. I don't have to carry a dozen loaded mags between my pack and first line. YES!! I know that my gear is reminiscent of the old ALICE gear, it was meant to be. I own a chest rig, but it is little more then a fun extra to me at this point. Is it quality? Yes. Is it functional? Yes. Does it function over my belt? Yes. Would it work if I had to wear armor? Not at all. If I had to wear armor, I would redo it completely, and probably drop almost all of it off. No hard water containers, limited ammo, FAK, multitool, fixed blade knife and pistol. The rest would move up to my chest, or the assault pack.

When I put this belt together, I wanted to have everything on my belt that I needed to hunt for a full day without going to my main pack. I wanted to be able to drop my ruck, and hunt within seconds. I accomplished that. Sure, it has changed and evolved since then, but the basic premise is the same.

GenII should be even better, when I get around to it. It will be more streamlined, and lighter. I just bought a new Eberlestock pack, and I am trying to make everything work with it. I may have to go to the assault pack to carry my tripod and spotting scope, but-I still dont want to give up the belt.

[monkeys]

For the record the 499 Ontario is not an "also ran" knife.

This is true, but I bought it so long ago I honestly have no idea who manufactured it. It could easily be (and probably is) a knockoff made by a lesser company.

[Turtlewolf]

For the record the 499 Ontario is not an "also ran" knife.

This is true, but I bought it so long ago I honestly have no idea who manufactured it. It could easily be (and probably is) a knockoff made by a lesser company.

You mean like a Camillus? Do a bit of research, there's tons on the 499, and you may discover that you have a knockoff indeed but that some times thats good.
cheers

[praharin]

For the record the 499 Ontario is not an "also ran" knife.

This is true, but I bought it so long ago I honestly have no idea who manufactured it. It could easily be (and probably is) a knockoff made by a lesser company.

You mean like a Camillus? Do a bit of research, there's tons on the 499, and you may discover that you have a knockoff indeed but that some times thats good.
cheers

Every "fighting knife" I was issued in the Corps was a Camillus, FWIW

[Turtlewolf]

You knew I was trying to be funny right Praharin? Camillus was a great company that pioneered 1095CV (Carbon V) for Cold Steel and tons of other things.
cheers

[monkeys]

Well I've looked the knife and sheath over and can't find a single maker's mark, so I'm still assuming it's a substandard knockoff. What sort of marks would I see if it was an Ontario or Camillus? Additionally the cross guard is loose. I have to imagine that's not supposed to happen.

[Turtlewolf]

Well I've looked the knife and sheath over and can't find a single maker's mark, so I'm still assuming it's a substandard knockoff. What sort of marks would I see if it was an Ontario or Camillus? Additionally the cross guard is loose. I have to imagine that's not supposed to happen.

Crossgaurd gets loose because the leather drys out, what is the date on the nut on yours? That is frequently the only marking at all. Soak your handle in neetsfoot oil for a couple days, should fix the handle issue. These were military knives but the only marking I am aware of was on the nut. Is there any information on yours?
cheers

[monkeys]

Well look at that. It is an Ontario knife. The date is 5-99. Don't know how I missed it the first time. Also thanks for the tip on the handle. It's been years since I had a chance to use it so it doesn't surprise me that the leather has dried. Having kids puts a dent in your hiking and camping time.

[TheLastOne]

I think this might be the best place to ask:

buildin me a battle belt ala gd4's, dave's and of course, sigboy's.

Likely going with hsgi belt, 3 taco rifle/pistol stacks, one single pistol taco if room, bok, chopperstabber,

and the two I'm needing some help with are

Pistol holster:
I was looking at this bladetech offset here http://www.blade-tech.com/Dropped-Offse ... -1163.html
pic

Will this type of connection work with the hsgi belt or am I going to do some fabrication that I'll likely suck at, or would techlock work better? Hard to tell from pics of the hsgi so hoping some of you that own it have some ideas. Here's the link for anyone that wants to peek that doesn't have it handy
http://www.hsgi.us/proddetail.php?prod=HSG-SGPB&cat=18
Seems like in picture 4 of that series I can go up under the webbing part to access the rigger belt? Concerned that the drop isn't quite enough...
If Dave reads this maybe he can suggest the holster he used at last class. Looked like what would work for me; not too much drop (don't want drop leg I don't think), rugged kydex etc. Didn't see your attachment. Fwiw, I'm planning on the p226 9mm, even though I haven't had super luck with holsters being the proper size for my model.

#2
Hydration.
Was thinking some sort of horizontal bladder holder at 6 osilclock... not too sure about how sound the logistics are for this and I might just be better off getting a small backpack type thing (using hsgi AO chest rig, no back panel). Only problem is rigging up some sort of tube that gets near my face (easy there) but I can't figure out how to do that without taping shit to myself or tucking tube into the belt after drinking and then ending up tripping over it or getting it stuck in my holster or something else fun.

Are canteens my best option? Is there a carrier a little more friendly than RG's double stuffed pouch? Essentially, I want ease of access, not banging around on my backside in a way that makes me run even funnier, etc. I'm open to ideas. Looking for 2L or so.

[gravediggerfour]

On the subject of the holster it should work. Im running a 6004 safariland on my rig you see pictured here.




The off set drop is fed from underneath the molle where the belt runs between the molle and the pad. Be prepared to take a while while setting up the belt and watch the video on how to get the belt out of the padded part to begin with.

On the subject of hydration I just run a camelbak stand alone or when Im all out I have a hydration system on my PC.

[TheLastOne]

cool, thanks for the reply. Also found hsgi has a hydration carrier that 'is compatible with all' their rigs. Emailed to dbl check about the AO since it's kind of different than their other gear. May end up going stand alone anyway just for better weight bearing.

[AKFTW]

Some neat belts you guys have! I have a 29" waist so the whole idea of a do-all belt just isn't compatible with my body type. I also don't like stuff on the front or back so I can go prone or sit down/roll without any trouble. I am a true believer in AKs, Glocks, and Chest Rigs- my belt exists to support whatever chest rig I may be wearing and holds the basics- Dump Pouch, 2 pistol mags, IFAK, and pistol.

I'm going to be replacing the belt, dump pouch, and IFAK soon with more high-speed stuff (not the belt really, just going for a new USGI one). But the neat thing about my belt is that it's universal- I can fit most any pistol in the holster and most any pistol mag in the magna-mag pouches.

[monkeys]

I've been on a lighten-ing kick recently. Call me efficient or call me lazy, either way carrying too much stuff while hiking sucks. So I ditched a couple of the smaller individual pouches. Specifically that includes a MaxPed flashlight sheath and a little padded knife/multitool pouch. Considering I also wanted a small utility pouch to hold a map and that sort of stuff I figured it would be better to get an admin type pouch with elastic keepers to hold the flashlight and multitool. Condor makes one that is perfect in form and function, but I'm pretty meh on Condor. I own plenty of their stuff and it's not bad for the price, but, as my belt has shown me, to Condor specs are more of a suggestion than a rule. If anyone knows of a decent pouch that has the same features let me know.
I also moved my knife back towards my hip as it kept getting in the way when I lifted my right leg up anywhere near horizontal when doing things like climbing or squatting.
Finally, and most obviously, I ditched the buttpack-like utility pouch I had on the back. All it had in it was my poncho, so I figured it was simply unnecessary weight. I rigged up a paracord keeper that weaves through the PALS and is kept snug with a cord lock. It's way lighter and way easier to get to than when it was folded up and wedged into that pouch.

I'd still like a better knife sheath that doesn't span three loops, but I'm not paying Spec-Ops close to $40 for one.

[Dave_M]

I think this might be the best place to ask:

buildin me a battle belt ala gd4's, dave's and of course, sigboy's.

Likely going with hsgi belt, 3 taco rifle/pistol stacks, one single pistol taco if room, bok, chopperstabber,

and the two I'm needing some help with are

Pistol holster:
I was looking at this bladetech offset here http://www.blade-tech.com/Dropped-Offse ... -1163.html
pic

Will this type of connection work with the hsgi belt or am I going to do some fabrication that I'll likely suck at, or would techlock work better? Hard to tell from pics of the hsgi so hoping some of you that own it have some ideas. Here's the link for anyone that wants to peek that doesn't have it handy

I am using an HSGI belt with the same holster you linked. However, I lowered mine a tad more. Detailed thread here:
viewtopic.php?f=34&t=67250&p=1453450

[sigboy40]

It appears that 5-11 is going to release their own lightweight version of the Brokos belt.

But what really got my attention was the fact that they told me how to incorporate it as a pack hipbelt. I'm thinking my Eberlestock pack is going to have a new belt soon, one that I can quickly detach and turn into my GEN II scout belt.

Also...yes I know its an airsoft review, feel free to flame me appropriately.

[gravediggerfour]

Does it come with a silcock key? does it also bug you that if you google silcock, ZS and specifically this thread is first???

[sigboy40]

No, the only thing that bothers me is that the awesome silcock thread remains locked!

[omega_man]

Silcock key FTW!

[bigmattdaddywack]

subbed.

[AKFTW]

New belt setup in Ranger Green! Now just waiting on my UW Gear AK Chest rig in Ranger Green...



-USGI M12 holster
-TT V1 Pouch (for IFAK)


-TT Magna Mag double pistol mag pouch
-TAG Dump Pouch

[TheLastOne]

I am using an HSGI belt with the same holster you linked. However, I lowered mine a tad more. Detailed thread here:
viewtopic.php?f=34&t=67250&p=1453450

Dude thanks, I knew I had seen a thread where you'd detailed that but couldn't find it at all. I thought you were using a semi-custom holster from a maker that I wasn't familiar with for some reason (probably read that in an old thread too)?

I'll see how it goes when the holster gets here with my chest rig as far as positioning/interference with a standard mount. I'll dick around with it when it all gets in. HSGI gear showed up and is pretty sweet.

[bigmattdaddywack]

I do not mean to be an asshole, I think this stuff is cool too, but do you guys intend to wear this stuff when in a bugout or when walking down the street in a disaster. You will stick out like a sore thumb.
Or is this just a range and camping thing?

[TDW586]

Maybe not everyone is planning to walk down the street during a disaster. Maybe not everyone cares about sticking out like a sore thumb, depending on the situation. See "The Myth of the Gray Man" for more on that.

Sent from my SGH-T839 using Tapatalk

[bigmattdaddywack]

I admit at times it would be wise to be in "battle rattle" in certain situations, but definitely in a group.
I actually plan on getting some myself as well as more "undercover" type equipment as well.