What Is The Best Way To Carry A 40mm Grenade?

The Short Answer

The best way to carry a 40mm grenade depends on the type of grenade you’re using and how quickly you need to access it.

For users carrying cylindrical grenades such as the Enola Gaye WP40, Tectonic Innovations Quake, TAG rounds or similar devices, a Kydex holster can provide extremely fast access and easy re-indexing. For users carrying a wider variety of grenade shapes and sizes, a nylon pouch may offer greater flexibility and compatibility.

Both systems have advantages, and choosing the right one depends on your specific requirements.

Why Your Choice Of Carrier Matters

Whether you’re attending an airsoft event, a milsim operation or using training grenades professionally, your grenade carrier plays an important role in how quickly and efficiently you can access your equipment.

A good carrier should provide:

• Secure retention
• Fast access
• Reliable re-indexing
• Compatibility with your chosen grenade
• Comfort when worn on belt kit or load-bearing equipment

The two most common options are Kydex holsters and nylon grenade pouches.

Kydex 40mm Grenade Holsters

Kydex grenade holsters are moulded around the shape of a specific style of grenade.

This creates a secure fit and allows the grenade to be drawn quickly without opening flaps, straps or retention systems.

For cylindrical grenades such as:

• Enola Gaye WP40
• Tectonic Innovations Quake
• TAG rounds
• Similar 40mm-sized devices

A Kydex carrier provides excellent retention while maintaining immediate access.

Because the holster remains rigid, re-indexing is also extremely simple. Once the grenade has been used or removed, the holster remains open and ready to accept the grenade again.

Advantages Of Kydex Holsters

• Fastest access to the grenade
• Easy one-handed re-indexing
• Consistent retention
• Minimal bulk
• Excellent belt-mounted solution

Potential Drawbacks Of Kydex Holsters

Because Kydex is rigid, it is less forgiving when carrying grenades with unusual shapes, protrusions or oversized features.

A Kydex holster designed for one style of grenade may not be suitable for another design.

When empty, the holster also retains its shape rather than collapsing flat.

Nylon 40mm Grenade Pouches

Nylon pouches offer a different approach.

Rather than being moulded around a specific grenade, they use flexible materials and elastic retention to accommodate a wider range of devices.

This makes them particularly useful for users who carry different grenade types throughout the year.

Many nylon pouches also offer optional retention flaps, providing an additional level of security when operating in demanding environments.

Advantages Of Nylon Grenade Pouches

• Greater compatibility with different grenade designs
• Flexible retention
• Optional flap closure
• Collapses flat when empty
• Suitable for a wide variety of devices

Potential Drawbacks Of Nylon Pouches

The flexibility that makes nylon versatile can also make it slightly slower to access.

Unlike Kydex, the pouch can collapse when empty, making re-indexing less straightforward.

Access may also be slightly slower when retention flaps are used.

What’s The Difference Between A Standard And Shooter Style Kydex Carrier?

Many Kydex grenade carriers are available in both standard and shooter-style versions.

The primary difference is the cut of the holster.

Shooter-style designs feature additional relief cuts that expose more of the grenade body, allowing easier access and slightly faster re-indexing.

The retention remains the same, but many users prefer the shooter-style design because it offers improved grip and a cleaner appearance on belt kit.

Which Option Is Best?

If you’re primarily carrying cylindrical grenades such as WP40s, Quakes or TAG rounds and want the fastest access possible, a Kydex holster is often the preferred solution.

If you’re carrying a wider variety of grenades or want maximum flexibility, a nylon pouch may be the better choice.

Neither system is universally better than the other. The best option depends on the type of grenade you’re carrying and how you intend to use it.

Final Thoughts

The best way to carry a 40mm grenade is the method that balances security, accessibility and compatibility with your chosen equipment.

For speed, consistency and easy re-indexing, Kydex remains an excellent choice. For versatility and broad compatibility, nylon pouches continue to be a popular option.

Understanding the strengths of each system will help you choose the carrier that best suits your loadout and operating environment.

Common Questions About 40mm Grenade Carriers

Can A Kydex Grenade Holster Fit Every 40mm Grenade?

No. Kydex holsters are typically designed around specific grenade shapes and dimensions. Cylindrical grenades generally work best.

Are Nylon Pouches More Secure Than Kydex Holsters?

Both can provide excellent retention. Nylon pouches often offer the option of an additional retention flap for extra security.

Which Is Faster To Access?

In most situations, Kydex provides the fastest access because there are no flaps or straps to open.

Which Is Easier To Re-Index?

Kydex holsters are generally easier to re-index because they retain their shape when empty.

What Is The Best Carrier For WP40 And Quake Grenades?

Many users prefer Kydex carriers for cylindrical grenades such as WP40s and Quakes due to the combination of retention, speed and ease of use.