Airsoft Action 07 - Mar 2012 | Page 92

PLCE ISSUE WEBBING The issue PLCE webbing first came about in the early 1990s and is still in use today. It’s one of the first things you are issued and that you will probably use on a daily basis, especially as an infantry soldier. The standard set of webbing comes with an adjustable belt, which holds two ammunition pouches each able to hold up to six magazines, giving a total of 12 magazines (or you can just about squeeze some grenades into the pouches as well). Depending on your waist size you can comfortably get three water bottle/utility pouches (32in waist and below) or four water bottle/utility pouches on there (34in+ waist). There is also an adjustable yoke to help distribute the weight of the equipment you are carrying. The great thing about the PLCE webbing is that it is totally adjustable to the user, so you can have as many or as few pouches as you want and are able to carry. These sets of webbing are great and only limited by your imagination on the types of pouches used and their configuration and set-up. I have seen guys with all manner of weird and wonderful set-ups and no set of webbing is really the same. 092 March 2012 The webbing itself is comfy to use and you don’t have any of the problems lying prone that you do with other types of webbing. If I was just starting out in airsoft I would definitely get myself a set of this as it is so versatile. It’s not great in every environment but it does the job. I still have my issued set from nearly 15 years ago and it’s still going strong (and no, before you say it, it’s not like Trigger’s broom!). The issue set is only available in British DPM but, as ever, there are plenty of other sets made in many different colours. PLCE webbing is very widely available from most military surplus stores and a large number of airsoft shops stock it too. My advice would be to have a good look around but be careful if someone is selling at ridiculously cheap prices. There are a number of less-thanhonest copies out there, so only buy from a reputable dealer (such as the ones you see in Airsoft Action), or someone you have bought from before. Price: Around £60-£99