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Posted: 8/26/2013 1:16:08 AM EDT
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Looking to order one of these, and the only place I can find them in Medium is at a site called appalachiantraining.com. Anyone ever heard of them? Is there any other place I can find this PC? Here is the link...
APC |
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I was looking at the mayflower and the TAG Banshee. Check out the Banshee as well. Great carrier have used it "live" for about three months with no issues. Does the Banshee accept side plates also? ETA: Also, how is the sizing on the Banshee? I'm only 5' 8", about 160, and don't want it to be too big...that's why I was leaning towards the Mayflower...but if the Banshee fits, I may go that route... |
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Does the Banshee accept side plates also? ETA: Also, how is the sizing on the Banshee? I'm only 5' 8", about 160, and don't want it to be too big...that's why I was leaning towards the Mayflower...but if the Banshee fits, I may go that route... Quoted:
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I was looking at the mayflower and the TAG Banshee. Check out the Banshee as well. Great carrier have used it "live" for about three months with no issues. Does the Banshee accept side plates also? ETA: Also, how is the sizing on the Banshee? I'm only 5' 8", about 160, and don't want it to be too big...that's why I was leaning towards the Mayflower...but if the Banshee fits, I may go that route... I'm 5'6 145lbs and the Banshee fits just fine, it would definitely be adjustable to your frame. Its not too big and allows me to sit without the carrier coming down too far. I was able to adjust it to the size of my soft armor and jimmy rig both into one unit I can throw on and off with ease. It has plenty of MOLLE area and fits all my gear that was once on my belt onto the vest. I dont believe it takes side plates right out of the box, however there are MOLLE loops on the cummerbund so as to be able to attach the side plate pockets if need be. |
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I just switched from the Banshee to the APC. The APC is much more comfortable and way easier to shoot with. The Banshee's buckles get in the way of shouldering a rifle for a lot of people. I ended up making a bolster to keep it from slipping off but the PC was still bulky over all.
Both PCs can accept side plates and soft armor. The banshee is about the size of the medium APC. The APC cummerbund is less adjustable because you can pick different sizes but it's way more flexible and comfy plus it has integral mag pouches. I ended up putting the Banshee cummerbund in my APC though because I ordered the wrong size from Mayflower. Plus I already had soft armor for the Banshee. The sizing for the APC refers to the size plate you have not your body size. For instance I ordered the large but I have medium plates. The plate synched up all the way in the pocket but there's extra space in the bottom. I got it that way so that I would have a little more room to mount stuff on the PC and the Banshee looks a little weird with how small it is. Also the APC has 3 awesome hidden pockets on the front. It has a kangaroo pouch similar to the Banshee and a flat admin pouch under the top Velcro molle panel and behind that is an even bigger velcro closed admin pouch. It’s got all of those and still manages to be a lot more low profile than the Banshee. The APC also incorporates the vertical buckles and velcro that allow you to mount removable chest rigs like the new Haley Strategic one so you can run it slick when you want. Another thing that always bothered me about the Banshee it the velcro flap that encloses the plate curls out for some reason and is very itchy. Don’t get me wrong I don’t hate the Banshee. I liked it a lot but it wasn’t very good for long term use. Especially given the bulkiness and the problems with shouldering a rifle. On the display stand the Banshee does look cooler but when it comes down to it the APC was just such an improvement over the Banshee during actual use. Plus on a person the APC kind of looks better. I can get side by side pictures if you want tonight. The Banshee is still here since I haven't had a chance to put it up for sale yet. |
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Thanks for all the input guys...I am still torn between the Mayflower and Banshee...Just gotta see which one I can find in stock and in my size... And PFC_Dustin...if you do get time I would like to see a side by side....thanks Ok I post it this afternoon. |
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Another vote for Appalachian Training. My APC was ordered from them, excellent company.
Just my opinion, but between the Mayflower and the Banshee, I see a lot more people going FROM the Banshee TO the APC, but you hardly ever see anyone go the other way. We in LE call that a clue... The APC is a better carrier. |
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Another vote for Appalachian Training. My APC was ordered from them, excellent company. Just my opinion, but between the Mayflower and the Banshee, I see a lot more people going FROM the Banshee TO the APC, but you hardly ever see anyone go the other way. We in LE call that a clue... The APC is a better carrier. I am going with the APC...going to the gun show this weekend, to see what they have...if they don't have anything, I will be ordering the APC from Appalachian Training... |
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I am going with the APC...going to the gun show this weekend, to see what they have...if they don't have anything, I will be ordering the APC from Appalachian Training... Quoted:
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Another vote for Appalachian Training. My APC was ordered from them, excellent company. Just my opinion, but between the Mayflower and the Banshee, I see a lot more people going FROM the Banshee TO the APC, but you hardly ever see anyone go the other way. We in LE call that a clue... The APC is a better carrier. I am going with the APC...going to the gun show this weekend, to see what they have...if they don't have anything, I will be ordering the APC from Appalachian Training... Great choice. I love my APC. |
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I know it's late but whatever update my phone got screwed it up bad. Seems to be ok-ish now though.
Anyways here are the comparisons. Keep in mind I bought the large APC so I could have more space and I have the Banshee cummerbund in the APC until I get the correct size APC cummerbund. The APC cummerbund is actually more comfortable and has 2 pockets in it for armor and whatever else. On the other hand the Banshee cummerbund allows the soft armor to wrap all the way around without any gaps while the APC has a small section of elastic connecting to the PC. But the Banshees cummerbund is free moving and can sometimes annoyingly slide making the PC crooked. It has a similar problem with the shoulder straps which drove me nuts. They were always unadjusting themselves making it crooked, even with the strap doubled over into the buckle. The APC on the other hand has the most secure straps I've ever seen. If you want any more pics or have any other questions feel free to ask while I've got both. Here are the two PCs side by side. Remember the cummerbunds are switched around so the APC has the Banshees installed and visa versa. 
Backs 
Underside of the Banshee. The APC has only one opening on the rear and it’s flush. 
APC’s one opening on the body side. 
Banshee’s flap that irritated me. It has them on both sides but this one came from the factory curled like this exposing the hard portion of the hook and loop to the body. 
The APC armor pocket has a strap to secure it and a flap to cover everything. 
Side profile comparison. As far as width is concerned the APC only comes to where the paracord rifle bolster is on the Banshee. With the Banshee I had to make that in order to properly shoulder the rifle. With the APC I have no problems at all. 
APC’s small front pocket. It does not Velcro closed, which I like. It also doesn’t sag at all. It took me a while to even figure out pockets were there. 
APC large top front pocket. Seals with Velcro and has elastic molle loops inside. 
Here are both upper pockets open. 
APC front lower pouch. The Banshee has one of these also. On the Banshee it’s actually lower profile and almost unnoticeable while on the APC it’s a little thicker there. 
APC shoulder strap with out padding. Notice it’s full length Velcro so it’s never unadjusting itself. 
Banshee shoulder strap without the padding. Notice I have it doubled over the buckle yet it would still always loosen. 
Side by side of the cummerbunds. Banshee is on the left APC on the right. The APC is empty while the Banshee’s has armor in it. 
This is a comparison of the two flex systems. The APC is top with Velcro (really strong) elastic. The Banshee is underneath that with shock cord. It comes with thinner shock cord; I upgraded mine to try to curb the C-bun shifting issue. I don’t have a preference really other than I prefer the fact that the APC C-bun is secured to the PC with Velcro while the Banshee is free floating. Also the APC’s is wider with pockets. 
APC C-bun pockets 
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Dustin: What kind of hydration carrier do you have on the APC? It's a TAG carrier with a Source bladder. I love the Source bladder, it's 100x better than all of my Camel Baks. But I'm not a huge fan of the TAG carrier. It's supposed to be made for the 50oz bladder but it's too short and has to be bunched up. Also I like having Velcro for name tapes and it doesn't have any. I'd really like the PIG carrier but it's a bit more expensive. |
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No problem I was meaning to do a comparrison write up anyways. By the way that was post 223 for you; you should have a beer or something lol.  Quoted:
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Thanks for all the pics and info Dustin...it is much appreciated No problem I was meaning to do a comparrison write up anyways. By the way that was post 223 for you; you should have a beer or something lol. Oh yea...sure enough was...If I wasn't out on the rig right now, I would definitely be having a beer... |
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So for the average joe, who doesnt do a lot of classes etc but wants body armor for SHTF would you spend the coin for the apc or just get the banshee? Hard to say. The Banshee is still a great PC but for me the ability to move and shoot would have still taken precedent even if I never really used it. So I went with the APC. But I never particularly disliked my Banshee, I just wasn't comfortable in it. Another issue I think with me is my size. The Banshee is a little small and looks and feels weird on me. I'm 6'2 and 200lbs with decently broad chest and shoulders. It seemed like the more I worked out the more awkwardly it fit. |
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