The Double Alpha Race Master Magazine Pouch
The Double Alpha Race Master magazine pouch was designed by Saul Kirsch, using Computer Aided Design – Computer Aided Manufacture ( CAD-CAM ) software. It was the obvious next design step as complementary equipment for the DAA Race Master ( RM ) holster. Like the innovative Race Master Holster itself, the Race Master Magazine Pouch is a completely original design, unlike anything else I have seen on the market to date.
First Impressions
When I first examined the RM holster I commented to Saul that the belt attachment and angle adjustment system could also be used with a magazine pouch. He replied to me with a grin, “I am working on it”.The RM pouch is constructed from aluminum rather than the usual plastic. This allows a design and function never before seen in a competition magazine pouch. It offers a wider and more diverse range of adjustability and mounting options and more important, like the RM holster it locks rock solid in the chosen position, not losing its settings until the user chooses to change them.
These machining processes are expensive, but they result in a more precise and better quality product. Double Alpha Academy has its own in-house four axis HAAS CNC machine, although this is used primarily for development work. DAA out sources the production of most of the RM parts to a top quality, ISO 9002 certified machine shop.
Its wide range of angle adjustments allows the user to position their magazine in the position that is right for them. This feature, combined with a unique retention system, creates a consistent release, leading to a positive reload by the competitor.
With the different angles of adjustment you can position the RM pouches to suit you own style of draw.
Adjustment
Unlike all other magazine pouches, the RM pouch’s pressure adjustment wheel applies force to the rear face of the magazine, so the pressure is applied to the magazine tube from back to front rather than from side to side, as many other magazine pouches do. This is a lot more effective, as the front and back walls of the magazine are straight, flat and parallel. The side walls of all double stack magazines are tapered, were the pressure from the magazine pouch is at a narrow point of contact The rear to front type of contact, were the pressure and contact is spread over a greater area, allows for a smooth draw of the magazine. A few turns of the tension adjustment wheel changes the force needed to draw from very loose to very tight. This allows you to adjust the tension to suit the dynamics of what will be required as you progress through the different stages in a competition.
The tension adjustment wheel ensures the magazines ( .40 left – 9mm right ) can be securely held at the tension to suit the dynamics of the stage you are shooting.
The side and back inner plastic spacers are specific to the magazine being used. Each pouch is delivered with two sets of spacers. One set is designed for STI sized magazines and the pouch is assembled with these as supplied. These will also work perfectly for any other wide body 2011 type magazine, such as BUL M5, Para Ordnance, SPS and SVI. The other set of spacers is for designed for the CZ / Sphinx / Tanfoglio type double stack 9mm magazines. For other model magazines, such as Glock and S&W M&P magazines, some fitting may be required. It may be necessary to remove some material from the back side of the side spacer, to allow more room for slightly wider magazines. A single stack magazine adapter is available separately as an accessory.
The two sets inserts are designed to STI sized magazines ( left ) and 9mm double column magazines such as the CZ SP01 ( right ). With a small amount of hand fitting you can also use Glock and S&W M&P magazines.
The Bely Hanger
The belt hanger system of the Race Master magazine pouch utilises the same attachment features as the Race Master holster. The inner side of the belt hanger is a neat fit over your outer belt, thus preventing any rocking motion. Since the hanger can be assembled directly onto the chosen location and does not need to slide along the belt, it is made with a tighter fit. The narrow steel plate on the inside of the hanger greatly minimises the separation between your inner and outer belt, thus allowing the maximum contact for the Velcro to give a more secure hold. When you are carrying three or four pouches side by side you want the maximum amount of contact between the Velcro inner and outer belts.
The narrow steel plate on the inside of the hanger greatly minimises the separation between your inner and outer belt, thus allowing the maximum contact for the Velcro to give a more secure hold.
The cant and tilt of the pouch is achieved by using a ball socket joint as with the RM holster. The aluminum ball is locked firmly in place with two set screws. The ball socket joint is purposely set off center on the belt hanger, which will allow you to choose between two heights when fitting the pouch to your belt. The ball joint locks into the body of the holster so that it cannot slip or rotate, even if the center screw comes loose. This is a unique feature of this pouch. Three mounting points on the pouch body allow for ambidextrous use, as well as making it possible to mount the pouch turned 90 degrees away from the body, as preferred by some shooters.
Changing the Inserts
The side insert is removed by removing the centre M5 screw, which also attaches the pouch body to the belt hanger. To replace the pressure plate spacer, first ensure that the tension wheel is rotated all the way back against the back wall of the pouch. Holding the pouch with both thumbs, press down on the pressure plate with both index fingers and slide it out of the top of the pouch. When the pressure plate is removed the leaf spring will drop out. Place the leaf spring in the back of the replacement plate and slide the plate back into place. Ensure that the tapered end of the plate is at the top end of the pouch. The magazine pouch and its component parts are very accurately manufactured and I had no issues in disassembling and reassembling them when swapping over the inserts.
The component parts of the Race Master magazine pouch can be easily removed and replaced to suit different sizes of magazine.
Assemblies
Left Hand AssemblyThe RM magazine pouch is ambidextrous and can be set up for either left or right hand use. Remove the M5 centre screw and pull the pouch body off the belt hanger. Turn the pouch around and reassemble the side spacer and M5 centre screw onto the belt hanger.
Sideways Assembly
For those who like to have their magazines facing outwards an additional mounting point is placed just below the tension wheel. Use the M5 centre screw through this mounting point to assemble the pouch onto the belt hanger. Use the supplied M5 screw and Acorn nut to attach the side spacer to the pouch body.
Attaching a Magnet
I tapped a M5 x 0.8 pitch threaded hole into the RM pouch to which I attached a DAA magnet.
The magnet is a useful feature to have in certain types of stage.
The front face of the pouch has a 4mm diameter hole, 10mm from the bottom edge. I threaded this hole with a M5 x 0.8 pitch tap and mounted a DAA magnet to the front of the pouch, using Loctite to secure the screw in place. This can be a useful feature to have in some stages.
The DAA Race Master Magazine Pouch is suitable for either right and left handed shooters, for all 2011 sized magazines, 9mm double stack magazines, single stack magazines and is available in black, blue, red and silver. Like the RM holster before it, the Race Master magazine pouch will create a stir on the IPSC competition circuit.
