In the “gadgets and gizmos” category today, I ran across this interesting item as I was perusing the sight from our friends at BreachBangClear.
Think of it as a magazine for M-16 mags.
The STRAC Technologies FAST (Fast And Smooth Transition) system is a hardened pouch designed to hold three spring-loaded rifle magazines that feed out as the operator reloads his carbine. The folks over at MilSpecMonkey did an intensive review of the product, the full version of which you can read HERE.
But, while it seems like an interesting idea, I agree with the folks at MilSpecMonkey that there are limited applications of the product. I can see uses for it in law enforcement, where tactical teams really don’t have a need for any more than 100 rounds for a particular situation. And I can see where vehicle operators might like it for its more flush-to-the-body configuration.
From MilSpecMonkey:
As with most things, the FAST System has pluses and minuses. The good part is that the system functions totally as advertised. You can become a consistent reloading super star in about 20 minutes of practice and only get better from there. One of the first downsides however is the bulk. The space required by FAST is the equivalent of over 6 30 round magazines, but it only holds 3 magazines. Also some may feel the required grips for mag extraction are awkward. Personally after using it I feel the grip is “good enough”. On this particular prototype, I wish the body was connected to the carrier in a more solid fashion. The only thing holding it in there is a piece of velcro on the back of the body and friction inside the carrier. With the dust cover down I can wiggle the body out of the carrier with one hand while still on my body. It doesn’t feel outright unsafe, but could be better. That said, it should be noted this preview is of a prototype and the final version will solve this issue with webbing loop slots to lash the body down to one’s vest. This is to get the extraction area closer to the body, but would secure the system further as well. Unfortunately the simple design only allows standard NATO magazines to be used in the FAST system. Magazines with any additional height such as PMAGs, Lancer, and HK mags will not fit. Although I wish they could fit, as a designer I can see where the system would become overly complicated if altered to do so. As the final con, the FAST System could easily be called expensive, but that is usually the price of cutting edge technology.
Here’s a pretty good video of the FAST system in action at the range:
And another one with some SWAT bubbas giving their impressions of the system:
– Christian
Swat teams, yes, military, no. Looks to be a potential life saver by saving time in between reloads.
Swat teams, yes, military, no. Looks to be a potential life saver by saving time in between reloads.
Mike, why not military? I would have loved a rig like that for mag extraction convenience. What is so different about a swat raid and a cordon and search operation in the middle east?
What ever happened to reloading behind cover? This would be a nice tool if the world was flat, you were operating alone, and the most lead on target in the shortest period of time won battles. Fortunately I’ve never had been involved in a gun battle where there wasn’t cover to duck behind for a reload, or I didn’t have a buddy to cover while I unvelcro the magazine carrier flap. But I guess somebody has to supply all the gear queers with the latest and greatest to sport around the fob
oifIII, you generally want to hold on to empty mags. There usually isn’t an infinite supply available on deployments. With the FAST there is no convenient way to hold on to empty mags.
How did he die? Do I hear you telling me “his VHS wouldn’t eject”?!
1)
Reload behind cover.
2)
SWAT teams shouldn’t even need a single reload magazine, or they suck.
3)
“pull down” to remove the cover. Right, ever tried low crawl with this? Sounds a lot like unintended uncovering.
4)
Additional weight. Weight hurts. This tool means one reserve magazine less to its bulk and weight.
5)
Who cares about fast reload? Normal reload is already fast enough if you’re in a team.
6)
KISS
1)
Reload behind cover.
2)
SWAT teams shouldn’t even need a single reload magazine, or they suck.
3)
“pull down” to remove the cover. Right, ever tried low crawl with this? Sounds a lot like unintended uncovering.
4)
Additional weight. Weight hurts. This tool means one reserve magazine less to its bulk and weight.
5)
Who cares about fast reload? Normal reload is already fast enough if you’re in a team.
6)
KISS
No way, Jose’
No complex.…. somebody else said KISS. That’s the motto of my life. Remember kids, when in the field, what can break usually does.…. and breaks at the worst possible time and break in such a manner as it will be completely useless.
Give me pouches. I’ve got a place to store empties, and it’s always been quick enough to keep me from getting my butt killed. Cover and teamwork (as others have been saying) go a long way here. With pouches comes less weight and bulk which means more of what I’m hauling around is actually working for me. With the difference in weight, I’ll haul another mag, or more water.
How about changing a mag while kneeling? How about PRONE? What happens when it get jammed full of sand/mud/blood/goop/slop? What’s water going to do to it? How about SALT WATER?
As the M-14 guy, I usually kept a mag set aside and loaded with tracers to make a target. How am I going to swap mags with this thing?
While we’re talking about pouches, no Velcro, please. Velcro is Loud, man… Remember those lame sneakers from the early ’80’s that had no laces but Velrco strips? Remember how you’re third grade teacher would shoot you a dirty look when you played around with them in class? Instead of a nun (in my case) throwing me a dirty look, I don’t want a Haji throwing me a 7.62x39 instead. Old fashioned buttons work just fine, thanks. OK, done with my little rant, carry on gentlemen.
Maybe for some limited applications in Law Enforcement, but military? No thanks.
Speed is fine but accuracy is final.
Good start, it definitely has a use in specific incidents.
Cutting my basic load in half doesn’t seem worth the slight convenience of a quick mag change. And that cover flap is going to catch on everything and be the first thing to break.
“oifIII, you generally want to hold on to empty mags. There usually isn’t an infinite supply available on deployments. With the FAST there is no convenient way to hold on to empty mags. “
That’s what those large cargo pockets on your pants are for. Trying to reinsert an empty magazine back into its pouch is a time waster and you risk pulling the empty out on another reload.
NOISE WILL KILL YOU.. THAT SYSTEM IS WAY TOO LOUD..AND IT WILL REPEAT IT WILL JAM… MOVING PART’S …NO THANK YOU
If mass produced for possibly airsoft that would be the only good application. Otherwise that could get somebody killed. It sounds like you’re dropping one mag on another every time you pull a new one. Definiately not for military.
maybe — just maybe — usefull if you are in a fixed and cramed position in a car or turret e.g, but that’s about it. Not grunt-aproved stuff!
Prehaps PSD or bodyguards would prefere this solution? It might work as a consealed solution?
SSR
http://www.hjv.dk/ssr
not impressed. just something else to take a dump on you. get in the way. i guarantoldja therell be clowns getting their asses handed to em while they fumble with that headache. the tried and true plastic mag holders work just fine. quit trying to turn yourself into robocop.
ok this thing is a total gimmick. look how much room it takes up and it only carries 3 mags!! i can carry about 9 to 12 spare mags in the same space this carries only 3. like several guys said to: NOISE!!! this thing is so loud it is crazy. maybe for a swat guy? man no way!! i will stick with the redimag on my entry/patrol carbine. never should a cop need more than 60 rounds that can be carried side by side on the gun. just stick with a redimag and 3x3 mag pouches and you will be fine
ok this thing is a total gimmick. look how much room it takes up and it only carries 3 mags!! i can carry about 9 to 12 spare mags in the same space this carries only 3. like several guys said to: NOISE!!! this thing is so loud it is crazy. maybe for a swat guy? man no way!! i will stick with the redimag on my entry/patrol carbine. never should a cop need more than 60 rounds that can be carried side by side on the gun. just stick with a redimag and 3x3 mag pouches and you will be fine
Way too big. I just got back from a deployment and I carried 11 full mags (556) and 10 40mm hepd rounds on my sf rack and it wasnt even close to how huge this system is. Something my grunt back wont take kind too.
yea noise sucks, but on a brighter side if someone DOES buy into this, it can be usefull. remember in ww2, the 5 round clip that made a very loud popping sound? might get someone to uncover themself tot he sound thinking your reloading.
other then that, i wouldnt use it unless they were very large mags, then it might be good to have a faster way to pull a bulk item from a pocket or tight fitting sleeve.
Dear young “insertname” first comment. You have to be younger than I to state the rifle from WW 2 had a 5 round clip that made a “Very loud popping noise.” The M1 Garand rifle had an 8 round clip that made a “clink” noise after the last round of the inserted clip was fired and the clip was ejected with the bolt open (ready for insertion of the next 8 round clip. The 30 cal bolt action springfield rifle of EARLY WW 2 used a 5 round clip which was used to feed the 5 rounds into the receiver from the top (the flat clip did not go in and was discarded). The bolt action .30 cal Springfield, of course, made the typical click clack noise when ejecting the round just fired, and then feeding in the next round coming up from the receiver. Springfield 30 cal bolt action had 5 rounds, the M1 Garand had 8, and was, of course, semi-automatic gas operated, etc. etc.
Pouches, ALWAYS pouches, of course. Besides ammo clips, you can put other things in them, including empties, and if and when you have time, do a refill job.
Also, in Vietnam, besides carrying 30 cal M2 (Selector switch full or semiauto) carbine banana clips, I was also able to put in a candy bar (when I could find one)(yes, it was soggy and soft, but it stayed in the wrapper and was slurpable). I liked rice, but as an advisor, I needed something other than Nucmom to spice up the menu! By the way, the little 30 cal carbine round was sufficient to down the normal sized VC, and the weapon and ammo was great for carrying in Rung Sat Special Zone — a large (400 sqmi) mangrove swamp.
Noise– if you have just dumped 30 rounds and need to reload what does noise matter? It would be good to pull multiple magazines from the same place but too much bulk.
Alright, I have been reading some of these comments and it is obvious that MOST of these people have not been in the military.
Too much noise? Why would you need to change mags if you haven’t already been shooting? Also, I highly doubt that everybody shoots perfect groups when in a firefight, so speed reloads are very nessesary!
Is there a new mag pouch out that will hold 7 mags now? I can’t imagine there is. Soldiers already have multiple mag pouches, so carry two or three of these if you need to.
One last thing, have you ever tried to change a mag while laying prone, because I have and it is imposible without ROLLING ON YOUR SIDE!!! Only an idiot or a morron would stand up to reload in a firefight.
I think that with a few small tweaks, this could be a very useful item. We need more people trying to help not hurt this industry. Thank you for trying to be the solution, not the problem!