Morion Thread Works Single M4 mag pouch.

  Foreword - Richard (Morion Threadworks) has actioned on the in-depth review Sam gave. He's currently working on a MK2 version that will address the points raised. He would also like to add that MT offers a discount to serving members of HM Armed forces. Stay Frosty Richard - Alex

Cost: £££££ (£24, direct e-mail for discounted orders)

Independent company so can't compete with the big boys.

Value for money: 2/5

For the price of two of these you could get a lot of other products.

Ease of use: 2-5/5 depending on configuration 

Open top is easy to use and secures magazines well.

Flap makes the pouch almost unusable.

Construction: 2-5/5 depending on configuration 

Construction is bomb proof but the flap needs a redesign.

Alliness: 4/5

Simple streamlined pouch that looks the part.

  Morion Thread Works are the new kids on the block run by a single tailor, and although their range is limited they offer a good variety of kit ranging from pouches to slings to duffel bags. This single M4 is one of their older designs and has tried to allow the user some customization options from one pouch.

  The pouch is made from 500D genuine Crye multicam and utilises a MOLLE attachment system. Unlike the usual system of a plastic filled fabric system, this is Hypalon. For those not in the know, Hypalon is a synthetic rubber that is notes for resistance to chemicals, temperature extremes and UV light. It's also pretty lightweight and keeps the bulk of the pouch down. The stitching is pretty bombproof and the Velcro is plenty wide and of good quality. The only thing missing in my opinion, is MOLLE loops on the front of the pouch to allow double stacking, or the option of a MOLLE version on the site. I usually attach my dump pouch to my magazine pouches, and this wasn't an option with this pouch in use.

  The pouch is modular in that the flap is removable and can be instead fitted with a shock cord for shingle mode. This will save you from having to buy two pouches if you're required to up the levels of magazine security. I found, however that when the flap is inserted it makes inserting a Magpul EMAG neigh on impossible without excessive playing around, and pulling the magazine out often led to the flap coming with it. This may be a manufacturing fault with the magazine on test, but a redesign should be considered.

  The shock cord is fitted by looping through and securing it to the loop at the back of the pouch and velcroing to the desired tension on the front. My initial thought was that because of the lack of internal friction devices, like those seen on Warrior pouches, my magazine wouldn't be secure but this was far from the truth. My battle belt was held upside down with the elastic undone and there wasn't an inch of movement from the magazine. The slim, form fitting design of the pouch aides in security. 

  Magazine changes are smooth in this configuration, although the added height (about 2cm on a warrior pouch) would need some muscle memory retraining to stop the lips of the magazine catching, but that's a personal flaw rather than a personal one. The magazine goes back in well in all positions except the prone, but because of the Velcro overhang at the mouth of the pouch you need to look what you're doing to avoid trying to bring the pouch inside itself. Not a problem on the range but it would lead to a lapse in concentration in the real world. Or you could just use a dump pouch. 

  Overall. Well this is a nice pouch. It's well constructed, appears indestructible and looks the part but would I buy one? And more importantly would I recommend them to one of my Private Soldiers? At this stage with the design problems and at that cost I couldn't in good faith recommend it. Hopefully there will be a redesign and re-release, and I look forward to changing my mind. 

  This Kit Pest Review was written by Samlongshankswatt. Hopefully you enjoyed it and if you have any thoughts or comments related to this article then leave a comment! 

 If you'd like to visit Cooper's Kit Corner, you can find it here.

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Hammocks!

DD frontline Hammock in MC 

Cost £££: 
At £57 it’s not the cheapest hammock out there but It’s a good mid range one with a built in mozzie net which will only cost you a night out down the pub. They also do a military discount for orders over £20 - http://www.ddhammocks.com/product/dd-frontline-hammock-mc?from_cat=27 



Value for money 3: 
There is quite a lot there, and there are more expensive hammocks out there that are almost the same but of a higher price .


Ease of use 3: 
There is quite a lot of buggering about when you first get started but this will get easier the more you use it. Setting up in the dark with no light would be very difficult but if you are in a situation when this might happen then a hammock probably isn’t the best thing to be sleeping in. 


Construction 4 : 
It’s well made but it’s not bomb proof, everything is well made and stitched but this is a civi item and I don’t think it will stand being used for a case vac. 


Allyness 2: 
I’ve given this a high 2 because I can't see your SF types using this outside the jungle to be fair. It’s more you echelon types. But allyness in the eye of the beholder and the looks of amazement I get when setting this up I just say “anyone can live like an animal“. 

  I've been interested in hammocks for a couple of years, but it wasn’t until an exercise in the Spanish Pyrenees that I thought a hammock might be a good idea. Because in a hammock you always sleep on the level, which is near impossible when you have a poncho up on a ski-slope. 

  The next years big exercise was in Estonia, looking at the ground it was wet and boggy and full of mozzies. So I went out and got a DD front line hammock. They are a British company coming from Edinburgh, and it came within a couple of days once I bought it. Once I set it up a few times in my garden I was ready to go. 

  When I got out here and set up everything worked well. The built in mozzie net kept out the biting insects and because of the suspension system the net didn’t collapse on your face. There are small pockets in each corner for stuff, and gear loops as well to hand things like a torch, it is quite roomy on there and feels homie when you're zipped up inside. 

  Because of the mozzie net It does take you a bit longer to get in and out, but it stops you from getting bitten to death and waking up looking like the elephant man. Saying that if I was just using it in the U.K I would probably forgo the mozzie net to save on bulk, and ease of set up.

  Summary:

  A hammock is not the most tactical of things so if you're a tier one operator then a hammock is not for you, but if you're back in echelon it could be for you. I’ve set it up in the back of man trucks, on the side of trucks, inside derelict buildings and between shelves in a store . 


  Once you have sorted out how you like it set up, and every time you sleep in it will be the same regardless of what the ground beneath you. If you're interested in hammocks then do some research, watch videos. You will find yourself getting quite nerdy about it and acquiring other skills like knot tying. It is also good for a life outside the military like wild camping etc. All in all, once it's setup right and you get the “ultimate hang” you get a cracking nights sleep. 

 - Coops

  This Kit Pest Review article was written by Tom Cooper. Hopefully you enjoyed it and if you have any thoughts or comments related to this article then leave a comment! 

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