Plate carrier inquiry - Page 1

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Plate carrier inquiry

Posted: 11/19/2018 4:41:04 PM EDT

I currently have a cheap AR500 plate setup that I hate. It has the buckles on the side and is ripping along seams. That and I need to upgrade my plates as they don't have antispalling coating on them.

I need suggestions on an affordable yet well built carrier. My requirements include an elastic cummerbund without the buckles and somewhat modular for various gear loadouts. I plan on using either level 3+ steel or ceramic plates, 10x12. Recommendations on plates would also be appreciated.

Posted: 11/19/2018 5:31:35 PM EDT

[#1]

Spiritus Systems Lv119

Posted: 11/19/2018 6:58:04 PM EDT

[#2]

Velocity LEPC with Hesco 3610s as the plate in whatever your SAPI size is. The 3610 is probably the best value plate for a certified tri compliant ceramic plate.

Posted: 11/19/2018 10:57:23 PM EDT

[#3]

I have some level III AR500 plates that are curved and have the paxcon build up for $170 shipped if you’re interested. They’re 10x12.

Posted: 11/19/2018 11:12:42 PM EDT

[#4]

bump tag

Posted: 11/20/2018 8:38:23 AM EDT

[#5]

Anyone have experience with the Crye Precision JPC or the Ferro Concepts Slickster?

Posted: 11/20/2018 8:55:57 AM EDT

[#6]

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Anyone have experience with the Crye Precision JPC or the Ferro Concepts Slickster?

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The JPC is one of the best "known quantity" quality carriers on the market, The JPC 2.0 is even better in a lot of ways.

That said, figure out what plates you want to buy then get a good carrier for them. What's your budget?

Posted: 11/20/2018 3:14:45 PM EDT

[#7]

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Spiritus Systems Lv119

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This

Posted: 11/20/2018 4:11:30 PM EDT

[#8]

My reccomendation is JPC 1.0 or 2.0 same size as your plates.

Hesco 3610 SAPI, multicurved, standalone, III+ plates.

The difference in a Condor MOPC with steel 10x12 plates (what my dept puts in every vehicle) is like night and day.

I have tons of accessory upgrades recommendations like First Spear Tubes, shoulder pads, KYWIs, Tubes Bridger, etc. but the key is to just get the right plates first, right carrier second. I tried steel 10x12 plates in my JPC and that did not last long. The lack of padding in the JPC makes a stand alone multicurved plate with built in padding a requirement.

Posted: 11/20/2018 5:06:13 PM EDT

[#9]

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My reccomendation is JPC 1.0 or 2.0 same size as your plates.

Hesco 3610 SAPI, multicurved, standalone, III+ plates.

The difference in a Condor MOPC with steel 10x12 plates (what my dept puts in every vehicle) is like night and day.

I have tons of accessory upgrades recommendations like First Spear Tubes, shoulder pads, KYWIs, Tubes Bridger, etc. but the key is to just get the right plates first, right carrier second. I tried steel 10x12 plates in my JPC and that did not last long. The lack of padding in the JPC makes a stand alone multicurved plate with built in padding a requirement.

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For my JPC 2.0 I added PIG Pontoons and they made a day and night difference. Also added a very nice air channel. I highly recommend this mod.

Attached File

Posted: 1/2/2019 2:24:46 AM EDT

[#10]

Bringing this back up. I decided to go with the Spiritus carrier, just waiting for it to arrive.

Regarding armor, I wasn't impressed by level 3 and with today's ammo choices being more powerful, I want something that can stop multi-hit M855 or M193. I'm thinking 3+ or IV plates but I need suggestions. Can't afford expensive $600 high end plates, but don't want cheaply made stuff either.

Posted: 1/2/2019 2:27:17 PM EDT

[#11]

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Bringing this back up. I decided to go with the Spiritus carrier, just waiting for it to arrive.

Regarding armor, I wasn't impressed by level 3 and with today's ammo choices being more powerful, I want something that can stop multi-hit M855 or M193. I'm thinking 3+ or IV plates but I need suggestions. Can't afford expensive $600 high end plates, but don't want cheaply made stuff either.

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What's your budget for a set of plates? How much weight would you be willing to deal with?

Posted: 1/2/2019 11:41:43 PM EDT

[#12]

Around $250-ish. Weight doesn't matter a whole lot as long as they don't weigh an ungodly amount compared to most normal plates, but lighter is always better.

Posted: 1/3/2019 12:14:51 AM EDT

[#13]

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Around $250-ish. Weight doesn't matter a whole lot as long as they don't weigh an ungodly amount compared to most normal plates, but lighter is always better.

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Take a look at Highcom LV4
and RMA LV 3+

Posted: 1/6/2019 6:26:05 PM EDT

[#14]

Code AR15.COM should still work for 20% off at highcom.

Posted: 1/6/2019 6:33:03 PM EDT

[#15]

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Code AR15.COM should still work for 20% off at highcom.

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Thanks I forgot to add that to my post above.

Posted: 1/6/2019 8:07:10 PM EDT

[#16]

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Take a look at Highcom LV4

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Those plates are so damn heavy though, especially if you get sapis.

Posted: 1/6/2019 9:42:16 PM EDT

[#17]

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Those plates are so damn heavy though, especially if you get sapis.

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Quoted:

Take a look at Highcom LV4

Those plates are so damn heavy though, especially if you get sapis.

Well if I'm interpreting the last few posts correctly, his budget is $250 for a set. He's not getting light at $250 a set.

Posted: 1/18/2019 3:24:13 PM EDT

[#18]

I appreciate everyone's suggestions on this.

Ultimately, I ended up going with AR500 for my plates. They had a super deal on their curved 10x12 Lvl 3+ plates with antispalling coat and trauma pads for under $200. And I didn't know their Veritas carrier has the option for a velcro cummerbund instead of the lame buckle design, so I'll probably be ordering that as well.

No it's not Gucci like the Crye or Spiritus carriers, but this setup should work just as good and save money for ammo and range time. Maybe down the road I'll invest in higher quality stuff.

Posted: 1/18/2019 7:20:47 PM EDT

[#19]

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I appreciate everyone's suggestions on this.

Ultimately, I ended up going with AR500 for my plates. They had a super deal on their curved 10x12 Lvl 3+ plates with antispalling coat and trauma pads for under $200. And I didn't know their Veritas carrier has the option for a velcro cummerbund instead of the lame buckle design, so I'll probably be ordering that as well.

No it's not Gucci like the Crye or Spiritus carriers, but this setup should work just as good and save money for ammo and range time. Maybe down the road I'll invest in higher quality stuff.

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To each their own...I won't buy steel. Steel is for targets.

For the weight of your steel plate, you could have gotten a ceramic LV4 plate for a tad bit more. *shrug*

Posted: 1/19/2019 2:55:48 AM EDT

[#20]

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To each their own...I won't buy steel. Steel is for targets.

For the weight of your steel plate, you could have gotten a ceramic LV4 plate for a tad bit more. *shrug*

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Most of the L4 ceramic plates that are somewhat affordable (to me anyway) vary from 6-9 pounds. The L3+ plates I got are 8 pounds. They're in the same ballpark in weight but cost less and with the antispalling coating the're just as effective against common rounds I'd be up against.

Posted: 1/21/2019 11:41:36 PM EDT

[#21]

From what I've seen ceramic is superior to steel because it defeats the inertia of the projectile rather than deflecting it. Means less energy impacting your bones and organs. I believe taking a round behind steel still means at least a broken rib or two and at most ruptured organs. I'm not an expert though.

Posted: 1/21/2019 11:54:04 PM EDT

[#22]

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From what I've seen ceramic is superior to steel because it defeats the inertia of the projectile rather than deflecting it. Means less energy impacting your bones and organs. I believe taking a round behind steel still means at least a broken rib or two and at most ruptured organs. I'm not an expert though.

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Quoted:
From what I've seen ceramic is superior to steel because it defeats the inertia of the projectile rather than deflecting it. Means less energy impacting your bones and organs. I believe taking a round behind steel still means at least a broken rib or two and at most ruptured organs. I'm not an expert though.

Completely backwards. The one undeniable plus that steel has is that it's excellent at transferring a minimal amount of projectile energy to the body because it doesn't deform, or at least no where near as much as ceramic or poly plates. The more armor deforms upon impact the more blunt trauma is suffered. Less deformation = less injury.

That said taking a hit to a plate within the plates threat level should not result in injuries requiring hospitalization, at least not long term. Ruptured organs would require being hit with something quite large and fast moving. A fractured bone isn't out of the question but depends upon the exact plate and projectile plus the projectiles velocity at impact.

ETA: From this publication on Behind Armor Blunt Trauma -

NATO has reviewed the threat from BABT in military operations. A Specialist Team on Body Armour (Knudsen 1996) concluded from the available knowledge that:

the BABT injury potential of defeated high-energy bullets (i.e. 12.7mm calibre) was significant;
that of 7.62 mm bullets was largely dependent on the armour design;
there was no evidence of significant BABT injury from 5.56 mm military bullets.

Posted: 1/22/2019 8:40:03 AM EDT

[#23]

To me, if its not multicurved, its not comfortable. You should not intentionally buy uncomfortable armor. You wont wear it in the long run and it becomes a waste.

Posted: 1/22/2019 10:43:18 AM EDT

[#24]

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Completely backwards. The one undeniable plus that steel has is that it's excellent at transferring a minimal amount of projectile energy to the body because it doesn't deform, or at least no where near as much as ceramic or poly plates. The more armor deforms upon impact the more blunt trauma is suffered. Less deformation = less injury.

That said taking a hit to a plate within the plates threat level should not result in injuries requiring hospitalization, at least not long term. Ruptured organs would require being hit with something quite large and fast moving. A fractured bone isn't out of the question but depends upon the exact plate and projectile plus the projectiles velocity at impact.

ETA: From this publication on Behind Armor Blunt Trauma -

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Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
From what I've seen ceramic is superior to steel because it defeats the inertia of the projectile rather than deflecting it. Means less energy impacting your bones and organs. I believe taking a round behind steel still means at least a broken rib or two and at most ruptured organs. I'm not an expert though.

Completely backwards. The one undeniable plus that steel has is that it's excellent at transferring a minimal amount of projectile energy to the body because it doesn't deform, or at least no where near as much as ceramic or poly plates. The more armor deforms upon impact the more blunt trauma is suffered. Less deformation = less injury.

That said taking a hit to a plate within the plates threat level should not result in injuries requiring hospitalization, at least not long term. Ruptured organs would require being hit with something quite large and fast moving. A fractured bone isn't out of the question but depends upon the exact plate and projectile plus the projectiles velocity at impact.

ETA: From this publication on Behind Armor Blunt Trauma -

NATO has reviewed the threat from BABT in military operations. A Specialist Team on Body Armour (Knudsen 1996) concluded from the available knowledge that:

the BABT injury potential of defeated high-energy bullets (i.e. 12.7mm calibre) was significant;
that of 7.62 mm bullets was largely dependent on the armour design;
there was no evidence of significant BABT injury from 5.56 mm military bullets.

I took 3 RDS of 7.62x39 at close range in my SAPIs with no fractures, minimal bruising, and nothing but some hate and discontent to show for it.

SAPIs in an interceptor fwiw.

Posted: 1/22/2019 3:48:53 PM EDT

[#25]

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To me, if its not multicurved, its not comfortable. You should not intentionally buy uncomfortable armor. You wont wear it in the long run and it becomes a waste.

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I agree, I tried just basic L3 plates a couple of years ago with no curve and they were horrible and uncomfortable. These I just ordered are multicurve and I learned my lesson to have trauma pads for extra comfort and god forbid I get hit they'll absorb most of the energy transfer from the plates.

Posted: 1/25/2019 3:06:05 AM EDT

[#26]

I do have a question though... You obviously with steel plates a trauma pad is ideal to minimize injury. Do level 4 ceramic plates like RMA and similar need trauma pads?