After doing my annual review of my gear and holster box a few weeks ago to see what I should probably sell to other people, I noticed that I had a couple HSGI Tacos that were still plenty usable, and in fact, would be quite helpful for the Green Ops AK class (since I have no kydex AK pouches). Unfortunately, these were PALS attach items, and I don’t really use MOLLE battle belts… I’m a competition double belt guy for the most part. (Note: PALS is often referred to as “MOLLE”, but this is not technically correct.)

Enter the First Spear Missing Link. The Missing Link is basically a connector that works with MALICE, WTFix, or similar clips that provides a belt interface. They come in packs of six for $25 (I bought mine from SKD Tac). It is stupidly simple, and has some pluses and minuses as a result of that.

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The Missing Link interfaces with PALS by essentially riding the clip and using the sewn in bits of the strips to provide a stopping point for the Missing Link loops. There is also a hook interface on the back (part of the “hook-and-loop” system, also known as “Velcro”) that you can use to attach to a loop interface on your belt. First Spear’s video on the Missing Link shows them putting it on a different way than I do, because that’s how their belt’s loop interface is positioned. On a competition double belt, you want the hooks on the outside. It took me a bit to figure this out, but it works quite well.

Installation is easy enough, and can be demonstrated in pictures, or in that video shown above.

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Now, review time… there were things I liked about the Missing Link, and things I didn’t love.

On the upside… the interface is pretty secure, or at least as secure as your clip and belt are, especially when using the hook interface. The installation of the Missing Link is also fast and easy, or at least as fast and easy as threading the PALS is. They’re also not all that expensive.

There are downsides, though. There is a tiny bit of movement since the Missing Link isn’t all that tight. Not a big deal for mag pouches, but some people like their gear to never move at all on their belt. It’s also not really perfect for double belts because there’s nothing to secure placement on the outer belt. It won’t fall off, but it will move around until you place the outer belt on your inner belt securely. The biggest problem, though, is that they’re just a little too loose for a double rifle mag pouch, and they hang out at a pretty bad angle out to the side. Single mag pouches are great, I’ll probably try a different solution for the double pouches.

In any event, if you’ve got a single mag PALS pouches that need a belt attachment, this seems like a pretty good option that won’t break the bank.