by MHM
4 November 2018
Picked up some surplus MOLLE gear, one of the successors to the old LC-1 and -2 gear first fielded in 1973. While I don’t have a problem with ALICE gear, MOLLE offers numerous advantages and more versatility for a loadout. Both have their plus and minuses, which I’ll cover below. You can say I’m a MOLLE convert (MOLLE standing for "Modular Lightweight Load Carrying Equipment").
I found a “used” MOLLE Fighting Load Carrier
vest in the ACU pattern for a mere $14.95. I personally dislike the noisy
Velcro closures on much of the MOLLE pouches, and scrimmaged around the bins in
the local Army/Navy surplus store looking for pouches with clip closures (there was a good supply, some off brand). I managed to
scrounge up some used off brand M4 pouches, several "used" M240 and M249 pouches, and the flat M4 pouches for less than $3-$4 each (used canteen and pouch a mere $2.50 each). M4 bandoliers, which hold
six 30 round M16 magazines, were also a great bargain along with a
sustainability pouch at $3.00 each.
While the method of attachment for MOLLE has its advantages, it is time consuming to arrange your gear (but not overly difficult). One plus is that when pouches are properly weaved through the webbing, they stay put and for the most part won’t rattle around or fall off. LC-1 pouches and gear were attached with metal keepers, and there were several methods used to secure them if necessary (ranging from zip ties to 550 cord). I never had a problem wearing my LC-1 gear during my tour in USAFE back in the late ‘80’s and early ‘90’s (EUCOM for those who speak Army). I don’t recall anyone losing any piece of equipment during numerous exercises and alarms, and no one I knew resorted to zip ties or 550 cord. I also used LC-1 gear and a pack for years while camping out west in the mountains.
One Viet Nam combat veteran told me he never wore a web belt, being bogged down with his pack, PRC-25 radio and extra battery, rations, claymore, poncho, smoke grenades, extra clothing, etc., and carried 400 rounds of ammo in 20 round magazines or on strippers in OD cotton bandoliers.
For those interested in various configurations of the MOLLE vest, I’ve linked the pdf for TM 10-8465-236-10 below.
One adaptation from the Viet Nam era was using a canteen pouch to carry M16 magazines. The MOLLE canteen pouch will hold five, but be sure to cinch it closed and tie the bungee cord together to secure the mags in place (if y0u prefer). A MOLLE SAW pouch will also work, but with the flat three magazine pouch with its webbing attachment points, adding additional pouches isn’t a problem. LC-1 pouches will not attach to MOLLE gear without an adapter.
For hiking, carrying medical supplies, or using it for your bug out gear, the MOLLE FLC vest is a nice piece of equipment and rides well. I don’t really care for the ACU camo pattern and nylon sheen, but these can be spray painted or dyed to match your environment (I’ve used Rustoleum camo paint- smells terrible so paint your gear outdoors). I’ve spray painted some ACU bandoliers several different camo patterns, and my nephew couldn’t find one I planted in some shrubs in plain view ten feet away. Make sure you tape over any zippers to prevent binding on your gear before painting. Some outdoor enthusiasts also dye their gear, which works just as well but is time consuming.
In all, I acquired an extremely versatile rig with nearly a dozen pouches for about $70.
While the method of attachment for MOLLE has its advantages, it is time consuming to arrange your gear (but not overly difficult). One plus is that when pouches are properly weaved through the webbing, they stay put and for the most part won’t rattle around or fall off. LC-1 pouches and gear were attached with metal keepers, and there were several methods used to secure them if necessary (ranging from zip ties to 550 cord). I never had a problem wearing my LC-1 gear during my tour in USAFE back in the late ‘80’s and early ‘90’s (EUCOM for those who speak Army). I don’t recall anyone losing any piece of equipment during numerous exercises and alarms, and no one I knew resorted to zip ties or 550 cord. I also used LC-1 gear and a pack for years while camping out west in the mountains.
One Viet Nam combat veteran told me he never wore a web belt, being bogged down with his pack, PRC-25 radio and extra battery, rations, claymore, poncho, smoke grenades, extra clothing, etc., and carried 400 rounds of ammo in 20 round magazines or on strippers in OD cotton bandoliers.
For those interested in various configurations of the MOLLE vest, I’ve linked the pdf for TM 10-8465-236-10 below.
One adaptation from the Viet Nam era was using a canteen pouch to carry M16 magazines. The MOLLE canteen pouch will hold five, but be sure to cinch it closed and tie the bungee cord together to secure the mags in place (if y0u prefer). A MOLLE SAW pouch will also work, but with the flat three magazine pouch with its webbing attachment points, adding additional pouches isn’t a problem. LC-1 pouches will not attach to MOLLE gear without an adapter.
For hiking, carrying medical supplies, or using it for your bug out gear, the MOLLE FLC vest is a nice piece of equipment and rides well. I don’t really care for the ACU camo pattern and nylon sheen, but these can be spray painted or dyed to match your environment (I’ve used Rustoleum camo paint- smells terrible so paint your gear outdoors). I’ve spray painted some ACU bandoliers several different camo patterns, and my nephew couldn’t find one I planted in some shrubs in plain view ten feet away. Make sure you tape over any zippers to prevent binding on your gear before painting. Some outdoor enthusiasts also dye their gear, which works just as well but is time consuming.
In all, I acquired an extremely versatile rig with nearly a dozen pouches for about $70.
Overall,
the MOLLE gear has become my favorite, and I still keep my LC-1 and -2 gear
handy for other contingencies and setups.
mhm
4 November 2018
Old School Survivial (OSS) blog
4 November 2018
Old School Survivial (OSS) blog
TM 10-86465-236-10
How to mount your MOLLE gear-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXOBRda70L0
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