Mag pouches are a lot like holsters. If you call yourself a gun guy or gal, then you’ll likely have a bin full of them. Some for rifles, some for handguns, and maybe even shotguns if you roll that way. If you own an AR, an AK, a Scorpion, or any of the other options out there, it might get annoying to constantly have to swap gear from platform to platform. Well, if it annoys you like it annoys me, then 5.11 might have a solution for you. It comes in the form of the 5.11 Flex Multicaliber Mag Pouch, or for brevity’s sake and my sanity, the Flex Multical Mag Pouch.
The Flex Multical Mag Pouch is a MOLLE-based magazine pouch that uses a bungee cord retention system that can be flexed out and adjusted to fit a wide variety of different magazines. The difference between an AR and AK magazine is enough to warrant a different mag pouch. Now imagine the difference between an AR-15 and Scorpion magazine, or even an AR magazine and a .338 Lapua Magazine.
The Magic Behind the Flex Multical Mag Pouch
Now imagine a magazine pouch that can fit them all. That’s what the 5.11 Flex Multical mag pouch promises. The mag pouch itself is made from 500D material that is double-layered to be extremely durable and well-made. The front of the mag pouch features a laser cut PALs webbing to allow you to stack another rifle mag, a pistol magazine, or whatever.
On the side, we have adjustable side panels that are tightened via a set of adjustable bungee cords. A set of dual bungee cords are easy to adjust and tighten on the fly. This is where our adjustment comes from, which allows us to fit the mag pouch to everything from your AR-10 to your CZ Scorpion.
Adjusting is a little tricky. It’s best to adjust one side at a time. Then pin the bungee cord down, unlock the cord lock, and pull the whole thing tight or let it get loose. Having the mag on hand makes it easy to adjust the mag pouch just right for whatever size you need it to be. Additionally, the Flex Multical Mag Pouch comes with an adjustable bungee cord to give you that active retention guarantee.
Making the adjustments isn’t too tough. I’ve adjusted the pouches to fit a bit of everything I have. This includes AK and AR magazines, as well as the Scorpion mags. From there, I went big and was able to fit AR-10 magazines and then Sentry 12 magazines. The Sentry 12 is a twelve-gauge shotgun, so the magazine is pretty big, but it fits without a problem.
Rocking and Rolling
These magazine pouches really appealed to me because I review a number of different guns every year. If I’m shooting, I try to train, and this means working reloads. I got really sick of changing out mag pouches on belts and carriers, and my wallet got sick of buying mag pouches.
Additionally, I like to keep my belt mainly set up for an AR-15. It’s my go-to option if the world ends or China invades. At the same time, I like to shoot PCC competitions in Action Steel, Steel Challenge, and hopefully USPSA sooner or later, or maybe PCSL. Instead of having two belts for each, I can adjust the Flex Multical Mag pouches to move from AR to PCC pretty easily.
Dedicated MG style mags work well. Admittedly, magazines from the pistol world are a bit shrimpy. Something like the Colt SMG mag works better than the Glock extendos. Will it work? Sure, as long as it uses active retention, but it’s roomy, to say the least.
Removing and reloading from the Flex Multical Mag pouch is very intuitive. The mags slide out with ease, and the active retention bungees are easily defeated and pop right off when defeated. The rear side of the pouch has two PAL straps that are thin and easily fit between the various rows of MOLLE without being a pain. On the end of the PAL straps sits a Duraflex G.C. Snap, which ensures it stays shut and locked on the belt, chest rig, or plate carrier.
One Pouch – Many Mags
The Flex Multical Mag Pouches are fairly inexpensive and won’t break the bank. It’s a little less than 35 dollars and provides plenty of versatility for a number of different weapon types. Check it out here.
