Not military and have never owned or used a rig outside of a shell / game vest.  I have been looking at SKD for a Wasatch for my AR-10 since that is the one they recommend.  I plan on a rig for my AR15 to be simialr but that will have to wait.



My budget is $200 for the base rig.



Any tips?

save your money and spend the time in getting spun up on what is REALLY the go to, vice getting on the Me Too Me too bandwagon.

You may find that a plate carrier is not the route for you and you can save your money accordingly by buying a plain jane load carrying setup along the lines of a TT MAV or All PALS SKD rig


If you have an AR10 already, then you do have money, there is no need to blow the 2 bills on an armor carrier and not have armor to go in it

I have a Wasatch & various other plate carriers.  If I had to do it again, I'd get an armor/plate carrier separate from a chest rig rather than a single integrated unit.  I personally would recommend the BCS NIJ carrier overlaid with a chest rig like a Esstac Bush Boar or Split Bush Boar.  This way you have the flexibility to adapt multiple chest rigs for multiple platforms over a single armor carrier without incurring the expense of multiple integrated units.  This arrangement also allows you to remove the chest rig and still retain armor protection.  The BCS carrier can be used with soft armor, plates, or both.
This underneath this   is what I'm describing
 

Why do people all of a sudden want to buy plate carriers, sans plates, and attach gear to it? A plate carrier's job 1 is is containment of armor, a chest rig is for load carriage. Don't get me wrong, a pc can be  used in that manner, and not everyone's needs are the same, but be sure that you've properly identified and prioritized your gear needs before you open that wallet. And when you do, don't strap yourself with a low ball price limit. Generally speaking, good gear ain't cheap.

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Hmmm... that could be a good option for you. Seems like a good idea. I haven't looked at them up close an personal though. Interesting.

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Another option is the Mayflower low-pro carrier and the adaptable chest rig (available at SKD Tactical).   It sells for $205 and the company has a good reputation; the carrier for durability.    I have been mulling over my options also and the mayflower seems pretty flexible (when combined with an appropriate chest rig):  

* streamlined enough to work as a concealable soft-armor carrier to be covered by a jacket, etc.
* same as above, but with a rack/chest rig attached.
* soft + plate armor in conjunction with belt, etc.
* same as above, but with a rack/chest rig attached.
* with the chest rig you would attach to the carrier, you could also run the chest rig solo (without the carrier) as necessary.

The mayflower chest rig attaches with buckles, etc - and would be a nice compliment to a warbelt setup depending on how much crap you intent to lug around.  However it is designed for being concealed and thus has no integrated shoulder padding (but pads are available to add on), thinner 500D fabric and fewer layers of fabric to achieve this; that's also why I am interested in it.    They have a "molle" / PALS version that's a little more expensive and a little thicker, but then you start getting into different roles for the carrier.


So there are options for wearing soft armor to public pistol ranges, or to pistol classes with additional gear; as well as rifle class applications (plates) or the SHTF/Zombie outbreak scenarios we are all worried about.      I think for most of us civvies, we're looking at getting gear to play multiple roles (admittedly this can turn into a game of square pegs / round holes); but the Mayflower looks to have quite a bit of flexibility.    Flexibility is good if you expect to change your gear requirements over time.  

The low-profile carrier:


One example of a chest rig that would also attach to the above with buckles:

Take a look at the the condor line.

This can be had for about 100

This can be had for 80

I have owned both and they really cant be beat for the price. The QPC is my favorite so far over any other plate carrier.

You can find one on the EE in good shape for about $125-$175 depending on the brand. I personally like my Eagle PC.

http://ferroconcepts.blogspot.com/ makes some cool stuff.

While I am not much on cheap stuff, I have the Condor quick release vest. I have soft armor in it and a set of steel core plates and it is nice, It is well built and I can not find anything about it that I do not really like. I also have a pack from them that I have had for a few years and it has not failed me yet.

The only tiff i had is that it doesn't have pockets for side plates but other than that its a hell of a platform. I bought two plate pouches and it solved that problem. Im really suprised the QPC doesn't retail for 300...

then they will price themselves out of the market wont they

the margins are such, that established gear mfg's are countering with lines of gear built to spec but from overseas to contend with all of the Condors, Fox's, Pantacs and Flyyes

any increase in price will be met with a corresponding decrease in demand.

Thanks.  I am trying to set them both up for memory



 

How much does your plate carrier weigh?



 

This should be at the top of your considerations list; L and XL also available.

(It's a Tactical Tailor at the pricepoint of a Condor )

Thats not bad. I think I payed $40 at a local store for the condor vest I have. I am actually very impressed with it so far. I have a few Point Blank vests, an HSGI Wasach, and a few other higher end vests as well, and the condor really does suprise me with how sturdy it is and how comfortable it is. Now, I am retired from the Army and won't be wearing into Iraq or anything like that, but for a basic setup and something to train with for now it really is not bad. I even bought one of the war belts from them that was only $15 and it holds up pretty well too. Well enough to tear up training till I get some better stuff.

I like this it is a lot like the IBA that the military uses


oops forgot to post a link
http://www.redwolfairsoft.com/redwolf/airsoft/Combat_Gear_Vests_Pantac_OTV_Interceptor_Body_Armor_Small_Black_Cordura.htm

Annything billed as airsoft I would want to handle first and see what it is like quality wise. I would have never bought the condor stuff had it not been in store and super freakin cheap. more than likely I will replace it, but for now it fits the bill for me to tear up and see how long it will last. if I were going to spend any more I would seriously look at that TT vest above.

Here toy go, top quality at Condor prices, Diamondback Tactical's 1st Gen Fast Attack Plate Carrier for $90 in S,M, L and XL, in Black, Coyote, ACU, Ranger Green and even Multicam.

http://www.diamondbacktactical.com/product/Diamondback-Tacticalreg-Fast-Attack-Plate-Carrier,33,6.htm



And if weight isn't an issue, go here for steel Level III standalone plates for $200each:

http://www.expertguns.com/shop/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=28



Or you can get a lighter titanium level III here for $164:

http://dsgarms.com/ProductInfo/IBAIA0035B.aspx



You can get Level III backers on eBay for about $115 each:

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-BULLETPROOF-INSERTS-11-x13-IIIa-PLATE-BACKER-/260596387598?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cacc14f0e



Buy once, cry once.   If you don't like the rig, throw it up on the EE, somebody will buy it.

That is exactly the route I'm going. IMHO in the states soft armor would be my priority first. Handguns are the most common threats.

bulletproofme.com has ceramics (III and IV, backed and stand-alone) in the $230/plate range also.     There are many options out there depending on your wants, your bias and your intentions.

I don't know, and I won't be home for a week or so to weigh it.  When I get home I'll weigh and post to this thread.  I use Level IIIa soft armor and Level III plates - I assume you want the weight both with & without plates.



I probably should add that I don't use my Wasatch much any more since I've decided to go the BCS/Esstac overlay method.  



 

thanks for checking back.  No need to be specific as I was just curious approximately how much.



 

No problem.  If you want any other data let me know.  I'll probably post some pics too.





 

That titanium one says it's stand alone which means it doesn't need the backers right?  Is it just me or is that a very good deal for a level III plate?  Must me something I am missing.

its stand alone, doesnt need soft backers to be IIIa like the ceramic ones.

its multiple hit also.

I bought the same ones as part of a group buy.  Don't expect them to be significantly lighter than steel plates because, in my opinion, they're not.  I think all they got was a sprinkling of titanium in the mixture.  That being said, I like them and they serve my needs (SHTF type scenario) very well at the price point.  Also, my pair came with dedicated front (triple curve) and back (double curve) plates.

I also absolutely love my TAG plate carrier.

package shipped is 15lbs per my email.

approx 7lbs a plate...which is less than they are listed to be.

didnt make sense when I read my email

the DSG plates are fairly heavy so you do have to know what your getting into before you purchase them.but if they fill the role i wanted them to and i couldnt be happier with them.

The clip on/with buckles removable magazine rig, that attaches to your body armor, looks similar to the Hugger style shown at this link below.

http://www.veltye.com/vests?b=1

Vel-Tye LLC HUGGER Soft Side Plate Carrier and Chest Rigs

Any idea which came first, the VelTye Hugger concept or Mayflower?

If the OP likes the style, maybe he would be interested too and save up for the better product. Thanks.

Nice gear stand.