Why are most ammo holders seen in Africa open top style?

[MaxM25]

What is the reason most ammo holders on the belt are open top instead of one with flap closure? Is this a legacy of double rifles needing quick access to more ammo that has just continued with more modern rifles holding 4 or more rounds? Is there a real functional purpose to avoid a flap closure on a belt mounted ammo pouch for use in Africa?

 

[deewayne2003]

I think this is an easy access vs secured storage preference issue.

I’ve seen both but one is more common, just like pistol holsters with a flap or thumb break retention.

 

[Philip Glass]

What is the reason most ammo holders on the belt are open top instead of one with flap closure? Is this a legacy of double rifles needing quick access to more ammo that has just continued with more modern rifles holding 4 or more rounds? Is there a real functional purpose to avoid a flap closure on a belt mounted ammo pouch for use in Africa?
View attachment 650297
View attachment 650296

I have never understood the reason for making your ammo harder to get to on a DG or any other hunt. I have hunted for many, many years with Murray Custom Leather cartridge holders that are all leather and open top. I will be reading for someone to answer why the flap is a good idea.......

 

[Bandera]

The open style works with the double rifle very well. Where do we see the most double rifle use? Africa.

I have used both.
If I am hunting with my lever action or a bolt action I will use a flap style.
If I am hunting with one of my Ruger No.1 rifles it is a open top.
When I use the flap style I will fold the top back out of the way when stalking.
For dangerous game it makes perfect sense to have an open top for faster reloading. Although my buddy who is an engineer seems to think, that resizing the 30-06 flap style to the 375 Ruger is an acceptable solution. I am thinking he needs to film his Buffalo hunt next year.

 

[uplander01]

The only reason I would ever use a flap is if I was carrying spare ammo on my belt or wanted to throw some spare ammo in a pack. I was forced to use an Els model with a flap on a buff hunt (airline lost my bag with ammo and access in it), I felt like the flap was in the way.

 

[YancyW]

I use open top holder, both leather and elastic, I've never had an issue with losing rounds. I also sometimes just put a few extra rounds in my pocket and not clutter my belt with ammo.

 

[dneaster3]

Open top makes for easy access. One less movement in between your ammo and your rifle. That speed and efficiency is almost never important… except of course when it is, and then it is very important

Flap closure protects your ammo from the elements, at least nominally, but more importantly it protects your rifle stock from getting banged up on the cartridge rims. Ditto for truck fenders. Most of the time it’s a good thing to not have 5-10 little brass hammers bonking into expensive wood or clear coat finishes.

 

[CBH Australia]

I think most of their answers are correct or follow the same logic of early hunters.
Also personal preference.

But, it would be interesting to to know what the early hunters used, why and what was most commonly used or produced readily available for early hunters hunters.

Nowadays you can find all sorts online. I have one of each from Dingo leather in Australia. Why because I like leather goods and think they are cool.

 

[Rare Breed]

What is the reason most ammo holders on the belt are open top instead of one with flap closure? Is this a legacy of double rifles needing quick access to more ammo that has just continued with more modern rifles holding 4 or more rounds? Is there a real functional purpose to avoid a flap closure on a belt mounted ammo pouch for use in Africa?
View attachment 650297
View attachment 650296

Your gut is correct as far as my POV…just one look at my lion charge video posted on AH let’s you know why for DG I just can’t imagine not having an open carrier

 

[sgt_zim]

All of my open tops are cartridge specific, and the cartridges fit fairly snugly. Enough to keep them from falling out, but not so much that the ammo is difficult to pull out. I use a cloth flap-top for my 45-70, but it's not like I really need it. My 1895 GBL holds 6+1. The only time I've ever emptied it was while hog hunting, and then I've only emptied it twice.

 

[Russ16]

I’ve only used open top no matter where I’m hunting. The flap is just bulky to me winds up catching on guns and brush and other things more. A well designed open top is quite secure.

 

[Berettaco]

I use the Murray open top anytime I’m putting ammo on my belt (usually buff hunts) but also have one for my 270 and 30-06 for PG. I don’t think I’d care for a closed top - I want to get ammo quick.

I never used one in N.A. Prior to hunting Africa- just threw a couple in my pocket if needed. But hunting Africa is a bit different, multiple shots per day and away from the truck quite a ways. In the states, what is in my rifle is usually plenty, most of the time one shot and done.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I have open top five cartridge carrier for my 404. For my 30-06 I usually have four or five extra cartridges in my pants pocket plus six in the Springfield. Had an elastic ammo wallet for it but after four rounds fell out I tossed that piece of crap.

 

[Russ16]

I use the Murray open top anytime I’m putting ammo on my belt (usually buff hunts) but also have one for my 270 and 30-06 for PG. I don’t think I’d care for a closed top - I want to get ammo quick.

I never used one in N.A. Prior to hunting Africa- just threw a couple in my pocket if needed. But hunting Africa is a bit different, multiple shots per day and away from the truck quite a ways. In the states, what is in my rifle is usually plenty, most of the time one shot and done.

In the US I always have one on my belt. The difference is when I load the gun is is short whatever I put in the gun. When I unload and get out of the blind or on the horse or in the truck they go back in the holder on my belt. Basically it’s just how I carry ammo. Always done it that way.