Is the KommandoStore Eighty Four Bandolier worth it? Or is it a prime example of why you don’t shop online while drinking your way through an amusement park?
I bought the bandolier several months ago, right before the holidays. And yes, I was legitimately drinking my way through an amusement park when I did. Side note: the food and beverage package was totally worth it. I just recently pulled it out and actually took a solid look at it. Here are my thoughts:
Understanding the purpose and primary usage
Generally speaking, the purpose of a bandolier isn’t the same as a chest rig or other load bearing gear. Yes, both can transport ammunition. But a chest rig is designed to carry a combat load, along with other required gear, in an easily accessible manner. Ideally so that you can access it expeditiously during combat or operations. A bandolier is pure ammo storage. It’s resupply, not primary load carriage.
That’s not to say you can’t use a bandolier as primary load carriage in a pinch, it just might not be the most efficient choice. If you look back at Vietnam-era bandoliers, you see soldiers using the cloth bandoliers that their stripper clips came in as a carrier for spare magazines. In more modern times, the military’s rifleman kits still come with bandoliers that hold 6 magazines and attach to the issued assault packs. I’ve written about them previously.
In both cases, you see a pattern. The newer bandoliers are definitely easier to access and use than the older ones. However, they aren’t built the same as the primary magazine pouches, or even the TAPS rig. They are built to keep your ammo resupply from just rattling loose in your backpack. They keep everything together and make it easier for you to grab and go or to disburse the ammo among your teammates.
Pros
Now that you understand the purpose of a bandolier, we can look at the Eighty Four Bandolier. If you’re used to the standard rifleman bandolier, KommandoStore has made a number of improvements.
First, it holds more magazines. The Eighty Four Bandolier holds 8 magazines, compared to the milspec 6 magazines.
Second, it holds PMags. While you can modify a milspec bandolier to hold PMags, it takes time and effort. The Eighty Four Bandolier holds them out of the box.
Third, it has two removable waist straps. Waist straps help keep the bandolier from bouncing around when moving. While you can rig one on a milspec bandolier, having two available really helps you fit the bandolier to you. The straps also have elastic built-in along with the standard adjustment. This allows for a little flex when putting it on over clothing or other gear.
Fourth, it has the ability to carry other items. There are two additional elastic loops on each end of the bandolier. These are perfect for medical items such as tourniquets or rolled gauze.
Cons
There are a few negative items that are worth noting.
First, the overlap between the pouch and lid is small. While the pouch body is very tall and has the elastic retention loop, the lid itself doesn’t overlap nearly as much as I’d like. There is only about 1/2″ of overlap. I’d honestly prefer 3/4″ to a full 1″ of overlap.
Second, the hook and loop closure on the pouches is very small. This is directly related to the first con. Both the hook and the loop pieces are approximately 1/2″. Personally, I’d prefer a much larger loop section for the hook to bite on. I just feel like it would be more secure.
Third, it is foreign produced (Pakistan) and I don’t feel like it is built to the level of competing US-made gear. I have some of their other Eighty Four line, and it’s not even built to the same level as the rest of the line.
Conclusion
With the context and cons understood, I still think it’s a decent item for $50. Most bandoliers on the market are really just slightly smaller chest rigs to go on your hip or at a weird angle on your chest. This is a true bandolier designed to help you carry spare mags conveniently, not to serve as a primary combat load. It serves that purpose.
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