Chris (Blue Force Gear):
I'm Chris Sizelove at Blue Force Gear, and today we've had Jared Reston here with us. Thanks for coming by, brother. We’ve been talking about guns, slings, and gear—because that’s what we do when we’re together. We compare and contrast, swap war stories, and check out each other’s setups.

So, this is your belt—your actual usage belt. Neither of us is on active duty anymore, so I guess we can’t call it a true “duty belt,” but it’s still set up for serious use. There are some interesting details here that people can learn from. At some point, make sure you explain why you’ve got that “Ferrari” hanging off your hip, too. Take it away, Jared—tell us about your “chalk belt,” how it’s set up, and why.

 
Jared Reston:
Sure. This is my chalk belt, though you could set up almost any belt the same way. I’ve always run a 1.75-inch MOLLE belt so I can attach what I need. I’m not a fan of big, bulky padded belts—I started with those old padded Blackhawk under belts (those monstrosities) that made me feel like Han Solo. Eventually, I moved on to this simpler setup.

I’m using the Blue Force Gear belt hanger on a Safariland 6390 RDS holster with a QLS 2 mount. That allows me to swap guns if needed.

 
On the QLS System
Chris:
Let’s talk about that QLS system. I know people have different opinions on it, but for me, any duty-style holster (a “leg gun”) must have the capability to remove a hot pistol while it’s still in the holster. You don’t always have time to draw the gun, clear it, and set it aside. This is non-negotiable for me. The Safariland QLS does that amazingly well.

Jared:
Absolutely. Coming from a law enforcement background, it’s super helpful. If I go inside a jail, I can pop the entire holster off instead of removing the gun and placing it in a lockbox or my trunk.

Chris:
Right—same idea if there’s a casualty situation. You need to remove someone’s gear quickly, and that includes a holstered gun.

Jared:
Exactly. Also, in law enforcement, you’ll notice right away if your holster is missing—more so than if just the gun were gone. If you’ve done police work long enough, you might have accidentally left your sidearm somewhere and had to go back for it. It’s a real thing.

 
Other Belt Attachments
Jared:
Moving around the belt, I have a small NeoMag clip for my gloves. On the range, I might clip my hearing protection there, too. It’s basically a little utility spot.

You might notice I don’t run a dump pouch. I found that I used a dump pouch mainly to hold my gloves or random small items, and it became a snag hazard. It also took up space on my belt. This little clip replaces that function without all the bulk.

 
Ammo Pouches and Accessories
Jared:
Further around, I have a MARCO hanger on my support side (for marking). Then there’s a double pistol magazine pouch and a single rifle magazine pouch for emergency reloads.

These pouches are on Ridgeline Defense hangers, which drop them about ¾ of an inch. That helps clear my cummerbund when I’m wearing a plate carrier. It also angles the pouches slightly, aiding in ergonomics and speed reloads.

 
Medical Pouch
Jared:
In the back, there’s a Blue Force Gear Micro Trauma Kit. I used to carry a fanny pack on my belt as well, but this Micro TQ/Med pouch adds medical capability without taking up much space. It’s enough to get me by: I keep a tourniquet, trauma shears, and some basic supplies.

 
Philosophy of Setup
Jared:
People like to talk about first-line, second-line, third-line gear, and so on. For me, anything I carry is either life support or mission support. This belt is purely life support: the handgun, emergency mags, and medical gear.

I was on a SWAT team for 17 years, and over that time, I’ve tried countless pouches and configurations. This setup is what stuck. I don’t need extra “what if” items—I just need what I know works and what I’ve used in real-world situations.

 
Using the Belt in Aerial Platforms
Jared:
Since it’s a “chalk belt,” I can still clip into a helicopter with it. I prefer hooking in at the back if I’m working on a platform or riding on a vehicle. If you’re in a BearCat or leaning out for a shot, being able to clip in is crucial. I like having attachment points on both the front and back so I can use whichever is best for the job at hand.

 
Closing Thoughts
Chris:
Awesome. It’s always great chatting with someone who knows gear inside and out. I did a breakdown of my own belt recently, and it’s interesting to compare notes. When you see different perspectives, you make sure you’re covering all the bases. Your belt here seems to have all the capability you’d ever need—without any unnecessary extras.