I’ve spoken about setting up your revolver EDC in the past. While there aren’t tons of options, there are a few companies modernizing gear for the 21st century. One of these companies is Dark Star Gear. A few years ago Dark Star collaborated with Cecil Burch of Immediate Action Combatives to bring us a new way to carry spare ammunition for our revolvers. This product is the Immediate Action Carrier, or the IAC. Let’s take a closer look at the Immediate Action Carrier, and my thoughts on it.
Design of the Dark Star Gear Immediate Action Carrier
The Dark Star Gear IAC is a kydex pouch which holds two rounds of .38 Special or .357 Magnum along the belt, using friction to retain the rounds. Dark Star also offers the IAC in .327FED and similar .32 calibers as well. This facilitates partial loading of your revolver, allowing you to “top off” the gun without having to dump live rounds from your cylinder. Think of it as a modern variation of the classic 2x2x2 pouch, but with greater flexibility. If you want six spare rounds, slide three Immediate Action Carriers on your belt. If you want two our four rounds, then one or two IACs will get the job done.
The Immediate Action Carrier attaches via a fixed belt loop mounted on the back of the carrier. Each IAC slides along the belt to its desired location. This belt loop is designed for 1.5-inch belts, and is somewhat narrow in design. A thinner belt such as the Wilderness Tactical Swift, or the EDC Belt Co Foundation will be good choices here. This narrow belt loop helps to keep the IAC in place without flopping outwards from the weight of your cartridges. Those wearing thick leather belts, such as the Magpul Tejas will either need to change their belt choice or look elsewhere for their reloads.
Real World Use with the Dark Star Gear Immediate Action Carrier
I first picked up the IAC in 2023, and began using it in my regular practice and at the 2023 Revolver Roundup. Immediately you’ll notice how much easier the IAC is to conceal than a traditional leather 2x2x2 pouch. Kydex keeps this carrier much lower profile, and the small size allows the wearer greater customization in where the place it on their body.
A Minor Complaint
Due to the sleek design of the IAC, cartridge rims are unshielded, meaning they will come into direct contact with your body when worn. I recommend an undershirt to create a barrier between you and your ammunition. These rims can get uncomfortable fairly quickly for heavier shooters. Of course losing some weight will help here, but that is a process that takes time.
Range Time
Quickly I realized that a change in technique was necessary on my part when using the IAC. Traditionally I grab rounds along the front and rear of the case in my Galco pouch. This isn’t easy with the IAC, as the belt loop extends upwards on the rear of the carrier, largely blocking access to the back of the cartridges. With this in mind I had to transition to grabbing rounds from the sides and front of the rounds instead. This isn’t a knock on the Immediate Action Carrier, just something to be aware of if transitioning from a different 2x2x2 pouch.
During my range time I wore the Immediate Action Carrier strong side for dominant hand reloads, as well as near the appendix position for support hand loading. This near-appendix position also allows wearers to ambidextrously reload in the event their dominant hand is taken out of commission. Reloads are easy with the IAC. Retention is enough to keep the rounds in place without requiring significant force to draw them out. No rattling or other noise is made when moving around, helping to reduce the likelihood of someone noticing your spare ammunition.
Final Thoughts on the Dark Star Gear Immediate Action Carrier
Overall the Dark Star Gear Immediate Action Carrier is a great option for those looking to add a reload to their revolver EDC. They’re low profile, quiet, and secure, helping to bring the revolver reload into the modern era. Additionally, they’re one of the few dedicated options for .32 caliber enthusiasts on the market today.
Current MSRP on the Dark Star Gear Immediate Action Carrier is $17.99. You can find the .38/.357 versions >>HERE<<, and the .32/.327 version >>HERE<<.
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