EssTac Double KYWIs

Stu over at EssTac was kind enough to hook me up with 4 of his soon-to-be released Double Kydex Wedge Inserts, (KYWIs), for the HSGI Wasatch/Weesatch series of plate carriers. I had been looking for a way to adapt KYWIs for use in my Weesatch ever since I found out that standard KYWIs, (already available through SKD), were not wide enough to engage the Velcro on the inside of the Weesatch's internal mag pouches. Luckily, before I took a knife and needle to anything, Stu contacted me and offered up some of his amazing new KYWIs.

The new Double KYWIs are largely similar to the standard KYWIs. The main difference in terms of design is that the strip of Kydex used for the KYWI is doubly as long as a standard KYWI, and simply folded over onto itself at its midpoint. The Doubles also feature an elastic strap sandwiched in between the middle fold of the Kydex for additional mag retention after the other mag in the KYWI has been drawn. Like so:

Just like standard KYWIs, the Doubles are made from 0.092" Black Kydex and they feature hook Velcro adhered to the outsides. Also like the singles, they apply the most pressure to the inserted mag directly above the mag catch bump so that mags lock into place and require a good pull to release. For comparison, here are a bunch of single KYWIs and a banana:

In order to test the Double KYWIs retention, I jump tested the living hell out of them and performed a couple inverted rappels with Pmags, Lancer L5s and USGIs.

Using unloaded mags and no elastic strap for added retention, Pmags were easily retained, USGI mags slipped a bit during the rappel and Lancer L5s came out quite a bit. Using loaded mags and the elastic strap for added retention, effectively no slippage was noticed. I doubt that anyone will need to rappel with these things; just wanted to test the KYWI's retention without the elastic. The elastic strap is removable and even if it accidentally gets shoved down into the KYWI by inserting a mag, it will just fold under the mag and it will not be damaged. The KYWI is also easy to remove, so if your elastic does fall down and you like to use it, removing the KYWI and pulling the strap back up will take no more than a few seconds. Here is the slippage I noticed after the rappel:

 Not surprisingly, USGI mags are also the easiest, (that I have tested), to insert into the KYWIs and more importantly draw out of them. This is not to say that Pmags and L5s require any sort of great effort to draw, just that USGIs are noticeably smoother. I somehow doubt you'd notice the difference on a two-way range, so not that big of a deal.

I tried to dirty up the KYWIs to see if a sand and dirt-filled KYWI would effect the speed of the draw, but I noticed no difference. Under stress, such small things tend not to matter. The stupid-simple KYWIs performed flawlessly regardless of their cleanliness:

I also admittedly tried to break them by belly-flopping on the ground. It did not go well. The KYWIs proved themselves rugged as hell and I just looked like an idiot.

As with any mag pouch, I experienced difficulty drawing from various prone positions. The human wrist just doesn't bend that way. This is something that must be accepted and eliminated through training as much as is possible.

I caused an occasional inconsistency in my grip on the mag, demonstrated below, however this is also simply an issue to be dealt with through extensive training. Do it enough, and your beer can grip will be a beer can grip. Every time. Not this half-assed crap:

If you run Pmags with their dust covers installed on their baseplates, (don't), and you draw your mags out of order, (that is, draw the L5 pictured below before drawing the Pmag next to it), the Pmag's dust cover may trap the mag under it like a hook and prevent the draw. So. Simple fix: Dont run dust covers and draw your damned mags in order. Don't let the stress of a situation dictate which mag you go for. Always know where your next reload is coming from.

Part of what I love about all the KYWIs is the ease with which mags are reinserted. It's just like running Kydex AR mag holsters, but they're incorporated into your plate carrier. EssTac will soon be releasing dedicated mag pouches for the double KYWIs as well, just as they did with the singles. They'll look something like this, (note the drainage holes on the KYWIs and MOLLE webbing on the pouch):

All in all, just a great product. Brutally simple, utterly rugged and nothing is more high speed for you operational operators out there. Stu says the Double KYWIs should also be available through SKD "soon." For now, if you'd like some, contact him.

If you have any questions or comments regarding this or other equipment, feel free to ask away. I'll respond to the best of my ability. Cheers.