This week I wanted to do another review on firearms related “stuff”. In sticking with my insistence on only reviewing products I have used, this too will be a product I have had for about 6 years.

The Galco Horsehide IWB (Inside the Waist Band) single magazine pouch called the UDCMC (Ultra Deep Cover Magazine Carrier) is what I will be reviewing here.

Galco products are made in Phoenix, AZ. They are known for quality products that last and last. I believe it was the 80’s show Miami Vice that brought Galco into the main stream with the “jackass” shoulder rig.

This magazine pouch is designed for a Glock magazine (UDCMC24). When I first purchased it all those years ago I was (and still am) wearing a Crossbreed IWB holster as my primary holster.

I will write a review of it at some point but here is the “take away” – I love mine!

With that said, I have been a longtime fan of carrying multiple extra magazines. Yes, the FBI statistics from the 90’s and again from 2010 show low “average” shot counts by civilians in shootings. I think it was an average of 2.5 in the 90’s and 3.5 shots fired in 2010, my guess is more wheel guns / revolvers back then. Here is my take, I am not average, never have been never will be. I don’t want to get caught up in a “oh crud, I’m out of ammo, I wonder if the bad people will let me go get some more” situation.

Now carrying an extra magazine (or 2 or 3 or more) is good, but you have to be able to access them and do it quickly. That is why I do not carry extra magazines in my pocket (along with dirt, lint, rounds falling out…). Using an OWB (Outside the Waist Band) magazine pouch does not let me tuck in my shirt.

I own an IT company and wear button-up, tuckable shirts so I prefer IWB products. I prefer the professional look as opposed to the shirt hanging out look and require my staff to have ironed tucked in shirts. I presumed this pouch would allow me tuck in my shirt (hence IWB and tuckable). I have worn this pouch off and on for several years, for the last two it has been primarily worn on Sunday with my dress clothes and no other time.
With that said, let’s get on with the review of the magazine pouch.

When I purchased the UDCMC my goal was readily available magazine, at my waist and preferably tucked in. When I first saw this magazine pouch my greatest concern was the plastic belt loop “J” hook. It was not only plastic but only had two plastic “rivets” connecting it to the horsehide. Would it hold up? Well it has. Obviously Galco made a quality product in that respect. Another observation, whose answer was not obvious to me at the time, but is now, is that the horsehide had a rough side on the outside. Now, I don’t mean rough as to the skin but not a smooth texture. The inside of the pouch where the magazine goes was also smooth. I was wondering if a magazine would fall out after a few months.

Now I know that the outside is supposed to “stick” for a lack of a better word, to your clothing when you extract the magazine. This, I am presuming, reduces the pressure on the plastic “J” hook and rivets thus extending their life. The inside being smooth allows the magazine to come out easier and once again that puts less pressure on the plastic pieces. So far, so good. I have not had an issue with the magazine coming out unintentionally due to the inside of the pouch. The fit is and has been tight. I did worry about that a little when I went from a Glock 23 (40 S&W) to a Glock 19 (9mm). Even though the magazines appear to be the same size around I will presume they are not. The pouch apparently had not stretched to any detriment.

Unfortunately, those of you who know me know that I am not only a “the glass is half empty” guy but that it is “half empty and that water is really backwash” kind of guy. So here come the negative points on this magazine pouch.

First is the retail price, the asking price at the shop I purchased it from was $79.99! Now, when I picked it up the sticker looked like $19.99 to me, so don’t think I buy expensive stuff. When that price rang up at the register I immediately said, “No thanks”. After that we negotiated a much better deal. Today you can order them off the Galco web site for $44.95 http://www.usgalco.com/HolsterPT3.asp?ProductID=2416&CatalogID=450. It might be cheaper if you browse around the net. Even though this pouch has lasted me many years, I am not sure that the price is justified, more on that in a moment.

The next issue I have with my pouch and the ones currently sold, they only work with skinny/thin belts that are no more than 1 ¼” tall. This is the typical belt one would buy at JC Penny’s or Wal-Mart. This is, however, not the type of belt I recommend you use to carry a handgun on your waist. Head to the head, unzip and see how quickly hardware (your gun and magazines) follow gravity and flop around, not fun or safe. A belt such as that will flop out of your pants belt loop in a heartbeat and heaven only knows where the gun and holster will go from there and what and who gets covered by the muzzle as it flops around and you try to grab it.

This magazine pouch is made for “dress belts” only, while your pistol holster is made for a sturdy 1 ¾ or 2” belt that is thick so it stays in place much better. If you use this pouch you have to use a flimsy belt that is no more than 1 ¼” tall. Oh yeah, if your pants are made for the larger, thicker belts then you have more “flopping”. Hence one reason why I earlier stated that I wear this “off and on”. My Sunday / dress pants only like the skinny belts so that why this pouch is still worn. My everyday and weekend pants all have big enough loops that I use a 2” Galco leather gun belt.

Another issue I have with the pouch is the way it physically fits my body. By looking at the photo taken from the Galco web site, think of how much it pushes in on your side. With a double-stack magazine like the Glock, the pouch attempts to nestle about 1 1/2” inside my pelvis. Imagine that pushing there all day, not fun. I have tried to move the pouch to just behind my hip, when I do that, the top of the magazine digs into my ribs. In an effort to relieve the discomfort (no matter where I have the pouch), I end up loosening my belt (the too thin flimsy one). Now drawing the magazine or gun becomes difficult because the pouch and holster are not firmly in place and they, along with the belt, ride up another couple of inches making the draw difficult and clumsy, not something you want in an emergency situation.

With all that said, the Galco UDCMC is a quality made, lasting product that is designed to hold onto your clothing and not the magazine during a draw of the magazine. It only fits the thin, flimsy short belts and presses inconveniently into your side or hip. I will keep mine for Sunday use for now (I am about to review another style and will report on that at some point) but suggest you carefully consider this pouch and maybe try it on before you purchase.

Until I review again, have a virus free week!