Re: CTD Deployment Bag, New Belt Kit

SpookyPistolero

SpookyPistolero

Joined
Dec 13, 2005
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Rather than wake the dead, I thought I would go ahead and post how things are looking with my CTD 'MOLLE Deployment Bag'. I finally got it in the mail Friday, and it's really a sharp bag. I was concerned about buying something for rough use over the internet, but if I had been able to handle this in a store before purchasing, I'd have forked over $12 in a hurry.

I have set it up on a cheap $5 stiff work belt and it has become my dayhike kit. It's very comfortable to wear and has everything I'd need for a dayhike, and probably for an overnight with a couple of small additions. This pack seems to have a perfect amount of space for my needs. Pics:

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Bad inside pic:
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What's inside so far:
000_0139.jpg

Contents from 10:00 clockwise are:
- Mora 510 (tied to slot in front of right side pocket)
- Firekit, bandanna, duct tape, whistle (fit in right side pocket)
- Monocular, paracord, LED headlamp, twine, LM Wave (large main section)
- pill bottle with 1st aid meds, mylar emergency blanket, TP, bandage kit (fits in left side pocket)
- Opinel #7, spork, compass, tinder tin, cord, extra water tabs (smaller front pocket)
- Mini-mag, matches, ceramic rod (fit on exterior slots)
- GI-type poncho (attached to base)

I feel like I should first say that in the large main compartment and front compartment, I could easily triple the contents in each and not exceed their capacity. There is a ton of room left. I could still fit my hammock or the poncho or a small pot in the main compartment. I left room for a camera and for food.

As far as the quality, the material is very strong. The seams are all tight and not frayed, and most are double stitched. The zippers seem very strong so far.

With the attached canteen (with cup and water tabs in pouch), I feel very comfortable on a day hike. This has takes care of every need I could come across (though there are a couple of things I'll be adding to the first aid kit).

Some pictures while it's on:
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I hope this is a bit helpful to those looking for such an item, and that the pics aren't too many! If you have any more questions, I'd be glad to try and answer them. As far as cons, there aren't that many. It works very well as a butt pack. It's not so thick that the balance sucks such that it would tug on your waist, and it's not so small that you may as well carry a backpack. The attachment points are strong and numerous.

The only piece that I'm leaving behind with this and would like to have is my hatchet (which I might attach to the belt on my right side). I'm still trying to decide how to best carry my pistol. It will either be on the belt, IWB still (if I can stand it being pressed against me even more) or something like a shoulder rig under a shirt.

Thanks for looking and take care!
 
Great pix, SpookyP... I bought one of those CTD deployment bags to carry my truck survival kit ("TSK?"). I, too, was impressed by the quality of the bag and the various MOLLE attachment points, given the price.

Where'd you get the belt to which the bag is attached?
 
SP, nice review of the bag. I've yet to order one, but will soon. I picked up a nylon and leather tool belt several years ago that I'm going to use. I was wondering, have you tried attaching the poncho to the top of the bag?
 
longbow50 said:
SP, nice review of the bag. I've yet to order one, but will soon. I picked up a nylon and leather tool belt several years ago that I'm going to use. I was wondering, have you tried attaching the poncho to the top of the bag?
Click to expand...

I haven't yet, but it's a very good place to mount one. The handle at the top, that's held on by the two buckles as well, would be a good place to connect it. It would be easy and secure. My first concern would be if it would make it more difficult to reach the main compartment, but the buckles would make short work of that, and to be practical you really have to take off the whole package to reach that compartment.

You could mount it on the front as well, but I didn't want to add more weight at a point further away from my center of gravity.

As it is, the poncho doesn't sway and bump my legs or anything. The only hindrance from it is when you try to sit down. (That's not a problem when the poncho isn't there, for those concerned.)
 
Spooky, thanks for the review. I thought about getting that bag for about a month. Just ordered one. :D
Scott
 
Cool, Gossman! I hope you like yours too!

PS- I saw a pic of that WST you started making. That thing looks extremely cool. I'm going to have to start a piggy-bank fund for one of those.. :D
 
Nice review. It looks like you're making good use of the external points.

I had a rolled shirt slung underneath like your poncho, but in addition to being a pain when I was sitting with the bag on, it also kept the bag itself from sitting upright when I wasn't wearing it. Oh well, there's always something that needs more figuring out.

I still need a place to put my 20 oz. Mountain Dew...
 
Longbow: Just wanted to let you know that I tried putting the poncho under the main handle at the top, which is affixed with the clips. The poncho is held there just perfectly and allows me to sit down. I had originally gone with the 'under' storage so I could get to the compartments, but I've found that's not quick enough to matter anyway when the belt is still on. Hope that helps!

Still no ultra handy way to store the hatchet...
 
Spooky, the loop on the front of the pack should accomadate the hatchet. Try it the way you have your Mora inserted in the other side loop. The hatchet handle should slide into the loop. Just a thought.
Scott
 
Post what you come up with for handgun carry. I know it's not really related to the bag itself, but the old Bagmaster thing I have on my belt now isn't really size-efficient, even though it works passably enough.
 
I don't know if I like having my edged tools behind me when I'm out and about. Too easy for someone to sneak in and grab, placing your life in dire jeopardy. I know it can be done, because I did it to a friend, who also wore his sheath knife, strapped to his pack, which he wore behind him.

Likewise, I wouldn't keep my pistola in a buttpack. That is, unless I was wearing it around front for easy access to it.
 
Thanks for the advice, Scott. I will probably end up doing that. I haven't so far because my hatchet sheaths are both pretty bulky. I'm going to pick up some new leather soon to make a more spartan blade cover for it. Shave some weight, too.

With having the knives on my pack: I'm not as worried about that when in the woods. It gets harder there to sneak up to pull the blade out. In the city, of course, something like that would be unthinkable. The pistol is primary defense against such things, so I wouldn't be unarmed in that event (though at an early disadvantage). Good point to be sure, though.

I'll let you know what I do with the pistol. For simplicity right now, it may just be a 3 o'clock carry on the belt, with a decent cover garment. I'll see how that actually plays out though. It would be a shame to have such a nice waist setup only to go ahead and add on shoulder weight via the holster.
 
I bought some SecOps suspenders to keep the bag from pulling my pants down. They work great. Try it.
 
i have almost the exact same contents in mine. i'll try to snap a few pics tomorrow or wednesday. i decided to keep in on the shoulder and let it hang on my back rather than use the belt. i'll switch if the d-rings break. i had a 780 triflex in the rig but it's a bit large to fit.
 
Tiny update: Front loop on bag will not allow a Fiskars hatchet to slide behind it. May tuck between poncho and bag at the top of bag while strapped down.
 
I just order 5 bags from Cheaper than Dirt. I'm using them for Xmas presents for my son, son-in-law, nephew and friends. Thanks for the lead!!!
 
Can't wait until my bag gets here now. I ordered a thick belt with it, should be here on Thursday :thumbup:

Great set-up Spooky.
 
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