Battlebelts and impression uses?

[hoggie]

Hey guys.

I was wondering basically if battlebelts are used in any impressions.
I currently have one with all the works, and tons of pouches for it, and was figuring why buy a whole new loadout when maybe with some smaller purchases can have a impression.

I've done some research, it sounds like they're used as minimal survival things. I'm not 100% sure if everyone in the military uses them, or if any at all. I found this here: www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=44171.
This is a civilian shooter though, i'm assuming.

I've been looking at a lot of pictures, and some people use them, other just flat out use some form of molle extention off the edge of their platecarriers (Seems like a 10:1 kind of ratio though, very rare).

I know there is a LOT of impression knowing people, and was wondering if you guys knew if there was?

~Hoggie.

[Knife]

They're definitely used, but not typically as a standalone deal. That provides minimal ways to carry armor. However, MOLLE belts are definitely in use. Notable units being Marine Force Recon and SF. There are pictures out there, but I've never seen someone using just a belt in a combat situation. Perhaps training and such, but for military use its not quite as practical as it is in airsoft or civilians hooting.

[hoggie]

What is normally doubled up with a battle belt? I'm assuming a Plate carrier or a vest? I use a H Harness currently for mine, but i'd imgaine that they match it with something else.

[Carnage]

Knife, you'll most likely have to correct me, but here goes. I'm assuming battle belts are worn with MBSS plate carriers as far as Marine Force Recon goes (could be wrong though). Due to the small amount of MOLLE space on an MBSS, it makes since that a battle belt would be worn with it to provide more space for pouches and such. But I'm clearly no expert.

[GrinchBiscuit]

I can only point to a handful of photos where I've seen a battle belt is use.

And to answer your question Carnage, I'm sure they have been used in conjunction, but not enough to warrant it being the norm. An MBSS can go a long ways in terms of storage capacity if you do it up right.

You have to take into account how an operation is being conducted. Vehicle based? Well, belt kits typically get in the way, and when mission critical equipment is being configured prior to the operation, one would probably have a stronger desire to put it in a pocket or a pouch on the second line proper.

If you're without vehicles for a multi-day patrol, a wise guess would be that you're carrying a large ruck in place of the typical array of pouches that would be placed on your such as a MAP or equivalent.

Now if one was going on a greenside mission, there are a host of better options out there than a battle belt with suspenders. There are dedicated MOLLE H-Harnesses in every kit issued to SOF, and there are options such as the RRV which allow for a ruck to be (presumably) carried much easier as it's a chest rig.

THe one photo I do recall of seeing a battle belt in use is from a Ranger sniper. He was providing overwatch for a group of assaulters entering a compound out in A-stan. Makes sense for a guy like that to use it as he would be prone often, and the battle belt is a much more comfortable choice as it could be unbuckled. But that is one instance, as you could, presumably, set up an MBAV with a configuration that is marksman friendly provided you ran pouches on the flanks as opposed to center mass.

So yeah. They're used, but not in a terribly wide capacity. It mostly comes down to personal preference at that point, but I wouldn't make it your main rig unless you're doing a specific impression, or basing it off of a certain picture.