Here's some actual advice on configuring your load:
Drop-legs are cool until you try to hump shitty terrain with them or try to draw while seated (as in your car). They have their place to allow access with some plate carriers, but I still favored moving the pistol to my plate carrier since it wasn't my primary weapon at that point anyway.
being extremely ambidextrous, i would normally be very tempted to try a left hand dropleg so i could draw if my primary arm taken out of the fight, the problem tho, comes with losing that real estate for carbine mags when i try to integrate both carbine and pistol onto one belt, since i mostly do carbine mag changes from left side and im really trying to not rely on plate carrier for any equipment other than plates and a knife, in order to make the carrier an optional addon to the normal kit.
Pistol mags mounted on the holster are worthless, think about it: if you have your pistol in your hand for a speed reload how are you possibly going to access the mags with your off-hand? If you want to "store" some spare mags there to move into your primary pouches when you're able to, then go for it, but that's not where you want your primary supply of ammo. Everyone finds a config they like, but for me it was pistol mags either vertically at the front on my support side or horizontally at the front on my strong side where I could at least reach them with either hand if I abso had to. If it's a comp belt then most guys tend to mount them vertically across their front.
i agree that holster mounted pistol mags arent ideal but the way i understood their function was as the last mags you use or in case the weak hand you typically feed with is hit/wounded. in which case one would fire to slidelock, holster, draw and insert mag from holster pouch into holstered pistol then draw pistol, drop slide and go again?
Rifle mags should be positioned on both sides of the belt since your shooting position determines which hand you're able to use to access the mags, also the use of a sling (for support) determines which hand you'll be reloading with.
this seems a good idea since i switch left handed for right corners i would need at least one load from my right side but keeping it close to centerline so it can work for a left hand reach as well.
If you're not using a weapons-mounted light, then a surefire in one of their "tactical" (god I hate that fucking word) holders mounted near the front is also a good idea. Their "tactical" holders keep the flashlight held in position head-down so you can reach down and quickly grab the light in a proper grip conducive to shooting (take your pick between Syringe, Ayoob, Teacup, FBI or whatever flashlight technique you like. But fucking PRACTICE using the flashlight. If you have a surefire that isn't built to be a shooting light, you can put an appropriately-sized rubber O-ring on the barrel of the light to aid with the syringe method.
this is probably a weakness in my normal gear, i rarely find lights useful in town settings even late at night with low lume. im sure this may be different if suddenly it was a blackout no power scenario, so i will need to adress lights.
Picture your belt as your workspace: you want the most immediately-necessary items where you can get to them the fastest with the best possible ergonomics. This means messing around a bit until you figure out which direction to position your mags to avoid unnecessary motion and manipulation. You shouldn't have to twist and turn and fumble with mags; they should come out of their pouches in a proper grip and properly oriented to go into a mag well without dicking around with them.
this seems intuitive
Once you get the belt set up the way you think you like it, train with it and have someone run you through some courses of fire and make note of where you wish you'd had something positioned then tweak it. After you've tweaked it, then don't fuck with it ever again and train like mad with it. The goal, nay the NECESSITY of the belt for your intended purpose is for your hands to INSTANTLY index any critical item with zero conscious thought. The pistol should be exactly where your hand is going for it and your hand should be able to instantly hit the pistol in a proper grip. Same with your mags. In the pitch black under stress your subconscious has to instinctively know where it's going for the necessary kit.
A heavily loaded belt is the most miserable, spine-wrecking method of carry you can choose, so consider the suspenders if you're going to spend any time in the belt.
i figure i will keep suspenders handy maybe in a etool or canteen pouch on the belt for when it is needed.
Sorry to derail the thread into an actual answer, now back to your regularly scheduled program:
You need THIS on your belt as well:
Fleshlight Pouch | Special Operations Equipment
