Perhaps you’ve hear the term “MOLLE webbing” and wondered, “what in the world is that?”
What does MOLLE stand for?
Before we look at what MOLLE webbing actually is, let’s first cover what the acronym itself stands for.
MOLLE stands for (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment).
MOLLE webbing is a widely used system that is designed for modular gear attachment. It typically consists of heavy-duty nylon or polyester straps that are stitched in a grid-like pattern onto backpacks, vests, and other tactical or outdoor gear.
The MOLLE webbing system allows users to attach compatible pouches, holsters, and other accessories in a secure and customizable way.
For the backpack hunter, MOLLE webbing offers a significant advantage over regular packs by enabling the hunter to organize and carry essential gear such as ammo, rangefinders, knives, and first-aid kits without cluttering the pack’s main compartments. The webbing enhances both accessibility and weight distribution of the pack, making long treks through rough terrain more manageable for the user.
The Origins of MOLLE Webbing
The MOLLE system was developed by the United States military in the late 1990s as an upgrade to the older ALICE (All-Purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment) and ILBE (Improved Load Bearing Equipment) systems.
The key feature of MOLLE is the PALS (Pouch Attachment Ladder System), which consists of horizontal rows of webbing stitched at regular intervals. These rows of webbing allow gear to be woven and secured using straps, creating a stable and reliable attachment system.
Designed to improve modularity and adaptability in the field, MOLLE was officially introduced in 1997 and it rapidly became the standard for military load-carrying gear.
MOLLE webbing functions by way of a simple, yet effective, interwoven strap system. When attaching pouches or accessories, the user threads straps through both the MOLLE webbing on the backpack and the attachment points on the accessory itself. This weaving pattern ensures that gear remains secure, preventing excessive movement or detachment during strenuous activity.
MOLLE-compatible pouches and gear often include reinforced straps, as well as snap closures to further secure the attachments. The result is a load-bearing system that offers hunters, military personnel, and outdoor enthusiasts the flexibility to configure their pack to suit different hunts, missions, or hikes/treks.
MOLLE webbing provides the ability for the user to carry extra gear externally, keeping essential items within reach without overloading the interior of the backpack.
Some key benefits of MOLLE webbing include:
Customization: Hunters can attach only the gear they need for a specific hunt, reducing unnecessary weight.
Efficiency: Quick access to essential items like a knife, GPS, or survival/first-aid kit without digging through the main compartment.
Durability: Made from heavy-duty materials, MOLLE webbing is built to withstand harsh environments and tough conditions.
Versatility: Can be used to carry everything from extra ammunition to survival gear, making it adaptable for various hunting scenarios.
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The MOLLE Revolution
MOLLE webbing has changed the game for how hunters, military personnel, and outdoor enthusiasts carry their gear.
Originally developed for the military, MOLLE webbing has reach the masses, largely by way of the outdoor industry and has since become a staple in outdoor and tactical gear, offering superior customization, organization, and durability.
For backpack hunters, integrating MOLLE-compatible equipment into their setup can mean the difference between a well-prepared, efficient hunt and a frustrating, disorganized experience in the field. MOLLE webbing provides a way to secure all types of outdoor gear such as pouches, portable stoves, first aid kits, and more.
So, whether you’re heading into the backcountry for days on a hunt or a hike, or just needing quick access to essential gear and accessories, MOLLE webbing is a game-changer for sure.
I’m Josh, and I got my hands on a hunting blind made by Nukem… it’s called the Grab & Go Hunting Blind.
This blind is supposed to be more for the run and gun type hunter, which sometimes I am, and sometimes I’m not. But, I’ve got young boys that I am trying to familiarize with the turkey woods, so I was excited to see how this worked with them.
The Nukem Blind’s Ease Of Assembly
I was able to put the Nukem Grab and Go blind together very quickly (and I didn’t even read the directions!) The poles are like tent poles. They just connect together and have a bungee inside to hold them together once you get them fastened. There’s a bushing in the center on each one. There’s one along each side, and there’s one in the middle to keep it rigid.
The Nukem blind is adjustable to the height that you need it to be, based on the position you’re sitting. You can widen it out to shoot through it from a lower position. And then, if you’ve got a chair or something, you put it up higher.
This was as I was putting together the “double up” Nukem system…
There is a center piece that attaches in the middle of the two blinds to connect them… it is attached to the leafy camo cover.
Here’s a look at what the double system looks like after connecting the two blinds. My first impressions on putting it together was that I was really impressed. I love the leafy camouflage. This is the Mossy Oak Country Roots color, but there are four or five different colors that Nukem has in this blind.
I’d say the whole setup only took about three or four minutes to set up, and that was my first time ever doing it! So, I’m sure you can do this in the woods in less than a couple of minutes.
I could tell that you’d want to be able to shoot to the sides of it if you can. I can see me back here with the video camera, videoing. I’d maybe have the boys a little bit closer so they can still shoot out the side, but so they’re more concealed. But, I really liked the way it was set up.
Trying Out The Double Up System In The Woods With Kids
As you could tell, those two little boys blended in real nicely behind this blind. And I don’t believe any a wily gobbler would have been able to pick them off (as long as they sit still!)
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The Nukem Hunting Blind Is Solid
If you’re like me and you got kids that you’re going to be taking hunting this Spring, or even if you’re going to be videoing and doing a lot of moving behind the blind in the turkey woods, the Nukem Hunting Blind is a great option for turkey hunters.
This Nukem Grab & Go double up system really has impressed me. I don’t know what the woods look like where you are, but here in central Georgia, the Mossy Oak country roots pattern blends in really well. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a blind blend in better than this Nukem Blind does in the Mossy Oak country roots.
Prior to the mid-19th century, all shotguns were muzzleloaders. But, the invention of cartridge ammunition made it possible for several shotgun actions to emerge. Self-contained shotgun rounds encouraged innovation in gun design and made repeating actions and breechloaders possible.
Shotgun types are categorized by their gauge and their action, which functions as its operating system. Every gauge and action type has benefits and uses both on the range and in the field.
Let’s take a look at some popular types of shotguns and what makes each unique.
Overview of Shotgun Types
The 5 most common types of Shotguns are:
Pump-Action Shotguns
Semi-Automatic Shotguns
Over-Under and Side-by-Side Shotguns
Single-Shot and Bolt-Action Shotguns
Lever-Action Shotguns
Pump-Action Shotguns
Pump-action shotguns are a great option for both hunting small game, waterfowl and turkey hunting as well as for home protection.
A sliding handguard on the gun’s forestock is moved to activate the pump action, a sort of manual handgun operation. When firing, the sliding stock is moved forward to load a fresh cartridge into the chamber, after being dragged backward to expel any used cartridge, and usually to cock the hammer or striker.
While some pump-action guns employ detachable box magazines, the majority use integrated tubular magazines. Although technology has also been used in rifles, grenade launchers, and other weapons, pump-action weaponry are usually thought of as shotguns. In colloquial terms, a gun that uses this system is called a pump gun.
Since the trigger hand does not need to be taken off of the trigger while reloading, a pump-action weapon is much quicker than a bolt-action and somewhat faster than a lever-action since the forend is often operated with the support hand. Additionally, since the action is cycled linearly, less torque is produced, which might tilt the gun and cause it to go off target when firing quickly.
Selecting a shotgun that is semi-automatic is no different from selecting any other kind of weapon. You should consider pricing, performance, brand, and quality.
Naturally, the adage “you get what you pay for” still holds true in most cases. More abuse, longer firing schedules, and occasional cleanings are likely to be handled more reliably by a high-end shotgun, such as a Beretta 1301 or Benelli M4, than by one at the lower end of the spectrum.
Low-cost semi-automatic shotguns have long been seen as unstable and only suitable for range practice rather than any real-world usage. Although there is some truth to this reputation, it is mostly focused on the low-cost firearms of the past rather than more recent, reasonably priced, but superior models.
However, there are still many shotguns that perform well at all price ranges, so unless complete dependability is your top need, you don’t need to spend a fortune.
The question of over-under, and side-by-side will always be up for discussion. An over-under will not get the same derisive remarks on a shot as it did thirty years ago, despite the fact that tradition has favored side by side. In fact, many firearms discover that stacked barrels improve their shooting. Which would you prefer, side by side or over and under?
Over-Under shotguns have barrels stacked one on top of the other...
Over-unders are typically thought to be easier to aim because they only have one sight plane, but some shooters prefer the quicker handling feel that side-by-sides provide.
The over-under, who usually weighs about 7 pounds, would be a whole pound heavier than the side-by-side, to begin with. Therefore, the perceived recoil in the side-by-side and the muzzle-flip would be much higher when utilizing identical 28g No. 7 ammunition, for instance.
And the “side-by-side” shotgun has its barrels parallel to one another, side-by-side.
Not only will the over-under’s extra weight absorb more recoil, but the side-by-side’s barrel configuration causes the recoil to return in a dogleg fashion, which is backwards and slightly to the side, following the stock’s line, which normally has more cast in it than in the over-under. As a result, the way you experience the recoil will vary depending on whatever trigger you pull. But with the over-under, the recoil will return in a roughly straight line.
One tip when shooting an over-under is to use a considerably straighter lead-arm than you would with an over-under to increase pointability and lessen perceived recoil and muzzle-flip in a side-by-side.
In fact, the gun would always seem short if you held the fore-end of it side by side with your lead-hand, which would make it harder to handle. Therefore, the straight arm not only absorbs recoil (instead of your shoulder), but it also allows you to have more control over the barrels, which increases accuracy and precision.
The phrase “single-shot” describes weapon designs that need manual reloading after each shot since they can only contain one cartridge of ammunition.
Single-shot designs are much simpler and also more durable than magazine/belt-fed firearms, but they also fire at much slower rates. This is because single-shot designs do not require a large receiver behind the barrel to accommodate a moving action, unlike multi-shot repeating firearms (also known as “repeaters”), which have moving parts other than the trigger, hammer/firing pin, or frizzen.
Bolt-action shotguns use an attached handle to manually cycle the bolt. Technically speaking, however, every shotgun — aside from break-action models like over/under and side-by-side shotguns — has a bolt. (Photo credit: Savage Arms)
Particular to “bolt action” shotguns, the bolt closes up the rear aperture of the barrel chamber as the propellant in the cartridge burns. The bolt rotates forward to load a fresh cartridge after the round is shot and back to remove the used cartridge.
Examine that action in comparison to other shotgun kinds. To cycle the bolt on a pump-action shotgun, slide the forestock forward to load a fresh round and backward to expel the previous one, locking the bolt in position. In a semi-automatic, the bolt is cycled by gas from the fired cartridge.
Behind the trigger of a lever-action gun is a sizable metal lever. Usually, this handle also serves as the trigger guard. The cartridge case is ejected from the chamber by pushing the lever forward and downward to open the action.
Semi-automatic shotguns are helpful when rapid follow-up shots are required, such as in bird hunting, competitive shooting and even self-defense situations (photo credit: Mossberg.com).
Pros:
Faster rate of fire.
Can reduce the amount of recoil that is felt.
Cons:
More complex mechanisms, leading to potential reliability issues with certain ammunition.
Generally more expensive.
Require more frequent cleaning to ensure proper operation of the mechanisms.
Bolt action shotguns are very simple and reliable, but also have a slow rate of fire (photo credit: savagearms.com).
Pros:
Very simple and reliable.
Inexpensive.
Bolt actions with rifled barrels make them a good option when hunting with slugs.
Cons:
Very slow rate of fire.
Limited capacity.
5. Lever-Action Shotguns:
Lever action shotguns have a very historical feel and are relatively easy to use, but can be difficult to reload quickly (photo credit: MidwayUsa.com).
Pros:
Relatively fast rate of fire.
Unique and historical appeal.
Fairly easy to use.
Can fire a variety of ammo.
Cons:
Less common, so fewer options and potentially higher prices.
Can be more difficult to reload quickly.
Slower rate of fire compared to pump action and semi-automatic shotguns.
Can be prone to jamming if not maintained/cleaned properly.
