DownEast Innovation has developed numerous molded parts used in the tactical industry as well as full finished items like the FASTmag.
In conjunction with ITW Military Products, they released the FASTmag Gen 4 at SHOT Show. One big update is the attachment system which is much easier to manipulate. You can see the wide strap to the right compared to the older style to the left.
I was shown two variants, one for 5.56 and the other for 6.8 magazines.
As you can see, it can be stacked one in front of two. Available from ITW, they will still be available in stackable and PALS compatible versions.
Another new product from DownEast is the 3D SR Buckle. Unlike other side release buckles, it releases under load.
What’s more, it releases while using the whole hand in a clasping or squeezing fashion, rather than using the finger tips. Additionally, it’s quite flat making it a great choice for shoulder straps. Interstingly, it’s also frag resistant.
This is the most interesting thing I’ve seen so far at SHOT Show. The patented Downeast Innovation Holster Lock may well herald a boom in holster development. Many smaller companies are hesitant to get into the holster game since much of the IP for retention is sewn up by a few companies.
This new part will allow companies to offer license-free level 2 and level 3 retention which can be actuated with the thumb of the shooting hand without compromising the grip on the pistol. Additionally, the same Lock is user configurable left to right. The parts can be removed and reinstalled in a mirror fashion.
Tags: DownEast Innovations
SSD, will the new FAST MAGS work with M3 PMAG’s?
Interested in this as well. I rotated more Gen 3s into my setup and ditched the fastmags because they simply don’t work with M3 mags. Unless they made an extremely generous cut to both sides of the “pouch”, I doubt they will work, might be a better idea to just grind off the rear “tab” on the mag
Great job on the coverage so far SSD!. I am really excited to see what comes of the holster lock. Thank you
I’m looking at it and trying to figure out if the thumb tab rolls forward with the hood (safariland SLS style) or if it stays stationary like an ALS and the hood springs forward when pressed (since it is their own unique design).
The thumb tab projects forward as the hood rotates. From level 3, the hand drops to the butt of the weapon. The thumb tip rotates the lock lever down to level 2. From this established marksman’s grip, the top of the thumb (between the base knuckle and the middle knuckle) nudges the tab forward to release the hood which snaps forward to level 1. No re-gripping of the weapon is needed and minimal practice is required to quickly and reliably achieve a level 3 rapid draw.
Can we expect a video of this in action?