Plate Carrier/Vest?

Currently shopping, looking for input.

What brand/style do you have? How do you like it? What plates are you using?

Current considerations include TAG, Condor, Blackhawk.

What say you?

 

We have the condor ones at work. Whatever you do don't buy the flat plates. Buy the curved ones, so much more comfortable.

 

Lots of choices for lots of purposes ....^^^^^^^ # 1 comfort, find a Tactical discussion group and peruse through there. 'TAG, Condor, Blackhawk' all good brands

 

I purchased from Appalacian Training:
- Velocity Systems triple curved Level 4 ceramic plates (2)
- Mayflower Lightweight Plate Carrier (LWPC)
- Cumberbund (Mayflower I think?)

Later I added Level 3 side armor (fexible and fits in the cummberbund, one each side).

This is quite comfortable actually, but when it is really hot out you need a lot of discipline to keep it on!

Make sure the plate carrier fits you properly. This is why I used Appalatian Training, as the gentleman there allowed me to get my measurements and double check which combination would suit my needs and fit my budget. And definitely get the curved plates.

AR500 steel plates (or whatever their designation) will stop bullets and take multiple hits, but the spall will cut you to shreds. Don't try to save money this way. Just my opinions.

 

I have a full wrap soft armor 3A Gold Flex and Kevlar vest with curved titanium trauma chest/rear plates..Weighs about 8 lbs.

 

Another thing to keep in mind:
There are Level 3 garments that look kinda like a jacket and unless one knows what they are looking at / looking for do not make you look like a warrior. This can be good in several cases. Think about if you are really needing armor and the bad guy sees slip into a plate carrier, now if he is smart he knows "head shots only for that guy".

If you already have on what appears to be a jacket and it is Level 3 then you are good against handgun ammo NOW and hopefully you don't look like Rambo going in. Just food for thought.

I went with a plate carrier in ACU camo as I don't plan on sneaking up on anyone, or I will need a jacket to cover all this shit up.

 

Are flats are OK for the back panel?

I'm not LE and not headed for deployment. This is for my own peace of mind.

Sounds $$$.

Not planning on hiding it. If I ever need to put it on, stealth will be the last of my worries.

Missed a quote for Drifter. Ive become aware of spall effect. Looking at some plates with proprietary coating to reduce it. The only other thing hampering the use of AR500 is the weight. That said, if it will save my life, I won't mind carrying around an extra 15lbs.

 

Thanks!

Also meant to ask...are you guys using the carrier as the outermost layer, or putting an assault vest/chest rig over? The models I'm looking at have tons of molle on them and I plan to put pouches etc directly on the carrier as outermost layer. I plan to buy a size large enough to wear a bit of cold weather gear beneath. Also...primary will be a shotgun if anyone has any leads on ammo carriers/pouches.

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by toofish2 View Post
I have a full wrap soft armor 3A Gold Flex and Kevlar vest with curved titanium trauma chest/rear plates..Weighs about 8 lbs.
Sounds $$$. Cost was not too bad out the door for $750 original price was $1700 a local LE supply was going out of business….

 

These are the plates I'm interested in. LV3A Stand alone rated for multiple hit .308 ball.

AR500 Armor Body Armor Stress Test: http://youtu.be/ynu0KIRxVU4

 

AR500 has some great deals going on right now. I would check them out.

 

Have been all over their site. Now leaning towards the CNT for weight and comfort. It doesn't offer rifle protection, but can be used in conjunction with steel if threat level increases.

 

I went with the condor mopc. I got mine from Scorpius tactical. Reason I chose condor is. 1. The PC Probably won't ever see any use during my lifetime and if by some super slim chance shtf I doubt It will ever get to the point of falling apart. Plus nothing zip ties and duct tape can't fix... 2. It's affordability.

 

Mine came out to 240 shipped with mag pouches and some other stuff. Got coated curved shooters cut plate for front and rectangle curved plate for the rear

Also if you buy steel plates it wouldn't hurt to buy an extra spall guard. They can be bought for 20-30 bucks

 

Yeah make sure you get curved plates, they will actually conform to your body some, unlike the flat ones (unless you have a square body?) I would always go with 3A because Ive heard type 4 is really heavy?

 

Neck yoke?

 

Im used to the weight... I carry 2 text book and a Laptop in my bag around campus.

 

or if you have the $$$ http://www.scorpiustactical.com/collections/ultra-light-polyethylene

 

I have and run both. My observations:

Chest Rig: Haley Strategic D3 Chest rig. Sweet piece of gear. I opted to add two additional magazines to the rear velcro bringing my total ammo to 6 Primary and 2 secondary. Good for range work. I like this CR as it also allows me to interface directly with my plate carrier via fastex 1" buckles. It is important to note that drawing mags from your chest is slow. I rarely run my chest rig without either a battle belt or drop leg and subloads, both of which are MUCH faster.

Plate Carrier: TAG Banshee with level 4 ceramic plates from bulletproofme.com Solid piece of gear... HEAVY!! Trying to do drills with plates on is a pain in the ass but something that must be done. I run it slick so that I can either throw the chest rig on over the carrier or clip it in if I have the time.

Overall, the chest rig is much more user friendly, but if you have or can afford plates, its definitely a good idea to go that route to have the option for protection.