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    FASTmag Carrier Review

    The following is a review of the FASTmag carrier manufactured by Downeast Inc. The field test was conducted by a close friend who has the means to torture it far worse than I. Most of the following words are his.

    Product Description – the FASTmag is constructed of a non-fragmenting polymer clamshell with rubber friction pads on the interior to increase retention. A thick rubber band, similar to the “Live Strong bands” can be added and acts as a secondary means of retention. The elastic jump strap can also be used to keep the mag in place or tucked behind the carrier when not in use. It is compatible with the MOLLE/P.A.L.S. 1” Web system and can be mounted up or down. The carrier is designed to be used with standard M4 5.56 magazines.


    Field Test – This test was conducted in Ft. Benning, GA. A wonderful landscape of pine trees, swamp, deadly heat, and prema-staining red dirt. The carriers were used during a close-quarters battle training cycle. A good, solid week of day/night iteration shoot house runs for a solid 8-12 hours a day. I consider a night time shoot house run, no white light, live ammo, and ballistic breaching a good evaluation of product performance.

    CQB is where the FASTmag comes into its element. It’s a fast and calculated environment where seconds in the real world can mean the difference between click and boom for you and the bag guys. That being said, the FASTmag absolutely delivers on its design premise. Much like the Redi-Mag, without adding even more to your weapon, the FASTmag is there and waiting when you need it. Unlike bungee pouches and pouches with the flap left open for quick reloads, you don't need to worry about leaving a mag trail through the house. I would never substitute regular mag pouches for all FASTmags. I think two on my rig at most would suffice. I hope and pray I'm never in a real world situation that will require me to make more than 2 mag changes without a break in the fight...that's a bad day. After all, you can always take a tactical pause and reload your FASTmag from a mag pouch.

    Environmental Issues - The FASTmag is an open-topped speed reloader pouch designed to reduce mag change times by giving the user a straight shot to the magazine - no flaps or pockets to fumble with. Unfortunately, while this improves the "draw" of the magazine, it also leaves it open to pretty much any environment you are operating in, unless that environment happens to be a controlled house isolated from the elements. If you plan on running around in the jungles or desert, keep in mind your mags are going to be out there exposed to the elements. Rain, blowing dust, mud, and everything mother nature can deliver will get into your magazines. Not a problem for a quick stint outside the wire, but more so if you plan on extended outdoor activities.


    Another issue comes into maneuverability. With any open-top design, just be weary of "the urban ninja" dilemma as I call it. If you are going to be chasing people, jumping walls, climbing ladders, and all things agile and hostile, there is a chance your mag will get caught on something and get ripped out. The bungee cord is nice, but don't plan it coming between whatever is ripping your mag out of the pouch and the mag skipping down the street. It’s a nice feature, but one I probably won't ever use. If I wanted a bungee pouch, I'd get a bungee pouch...accessibility, that's what this pouch is about.

    Both issues aren’t necessarily specific with the FASTmag, but more general issues with open top mags and can be alleviated by putting it in a smart place.


    Conclusion - The FASTmag definitely performs in an urban setting. When you need it, it's there. Once that muscle memory was down with some mag change drills, and a few day runs, night was no problem. I'd definitely have it on my kit overseas for anything urban I do, however in the woods and doing long patrols (3-5 days) I'd probably leave it with my CQB kit.


    Downeast Inc. has taken input from end users to create a Gen III model. Some of the improvements include the ability to stack or "shingle" other FASTmags or pouches. Another improvement is the use of rubberized attachment straps and the prototype appears to have no jump strap either. More information on this new model can be found here.
    Last edited by Uglyduck; 21 July 2009 at 12:04. Reason: input larger photos and added an additional photo
    -Mitch-

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