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Posted: 8/27/2014 12:55:47 PM EDT
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Never owned a plate carrier and I'm new to them. I was recently in a carbine class and my battle belt just wasn't quite enough. I was considering getting a plate carrier. This may be a silly question for most of you, but being new to it I have to ask, do you ever run your PC without plates in it? Like for a class? If so, does the PC still work and hold your gear properly without the extra stiffness of the plate behind it?
I was considering the Mayflower APC as I'm a pretty small guy. I'm like 5'6", 130 lbs...28" waist. Finding gear that works for me is always challenging. Based on the reviews I'd read and the stuff I found online, it sounded like the APC might just be the ticket for someone of small stature. I had read a review from AK47 operators union and that guy was running it with the Haley D3 chest rig attached and it seemed like just the ticket. I was also considering just a chest rig, like maybe a PIG UCR. But I kept leaning back towards the PC as I'd eventually like to be able to have the option for rifle plates. On the other hand, the PIG UCR is inexpensive enough that I could go in true arfcom fashion and just get both. Of course, if I understand it correctly, if I got the PC and the Haley D3...I wouldn't need the UCR as I think I could wear the D3 alone or snapped onto the Mayflower APC? Any advice or recommendations for a newbie to PC's and chest rigs (especially one of thin and small stature) would certainly be appreciated. Thanks! |
| IMHO, plate carriers look like shit without plates in them. If I were you, I would get the HSP D3 chest rig, and get the APC sometime in the future with the swift clips along with some plates. The PIG UCR is a good and affordable piece of kit also, If you end up getting both, the UCR would be great to keep in your car or for HD. |
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Quoted:
IMHO, plate carriers look like shit without plates in them. If I were you, I would get the HSP D3 chest rig, and get the APC sometime in the future with the swift clips along with some plates. The PIG UCR is a good and affordable piece of kit also, If you end up getting both, the UCR would be great to keep in your car or for HD. Those are great ideas. Thank you. Ok...seems like you guys are telling me that if I don't have plates to run in the PC, its not worth getting and I'm better off with just the HSP D3, or UCR. I'm trying to learn about plates, and I'm a bit overwhelmed by all the types, sizes, shapes, and options. In general, do you have any recommendations or advice on choosing plates? Any ballpark on what I might expect to spend? I understand the prices are all over, and it all depends on level of protection versus weight....but as far as "averages" go and ballpark ideas here. With regards to my uses for the plates...strictly carbine class, SHTF, HD type situations. I'm not a soldier or LEO. |
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I'm the same stature as you. 5'7, 130 lbs, around a 29-30 waist. I have found that the shellback tactical banshee rifle plate carrier is the best fit for me. As perfect as it gets in fact. I do run plates and level III-A soft armor as backers. I would suggest if you do not want to run plates being they can be heavy, just add the shooters cut level III-A soft armor that you can get from bulletproofme.com. They make it specifically for the banshee carrier and it adds enough rigidity to it w/o the weight of plates. TacticalAssaultGear.com has the banshee on sale for 129.99 and it has a lifetime warranty. For me, personally, my setup is a SHTF situation. Hope this helps.
Banshee Plate Carrier- 129.99 through Tactical assault gear Level III-A 10.5X12 soft body armor, 220.00 for the pair through bulletproofme.com, 2.4 lbs for the pair Level III Advance shooters cut 10x12 plates through ar500.com i got them on sale for $70.00 a piece. 14lbs weight for both Again this is the set up that works for me. If you do not spend time in the gym i would suggest to start with the carrier and soft armor. |
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http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_10/349140_Proper_wear_of_Hard_Armor__with_anatomical_diagrams_.html
Read the above thread about proper wear, which will give you a perspective of how to size armor to yourself. My guess is small or medium sapi cuts based on your stats. My Mayflower APC was comfortable without plates, but a chest rig would have been quicker to put on and better if I didn't have armor. If you want hard armor I suggest you look at Level III or Level IV ceramics, not a lot more than AR500 from the right vendor and weighs less. Find the plates first, then get the carrier to fit them. |
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Quoted:
I'm the same stature as you. 5'7, 130 lbs, around a 29-30 waist. I have found that the shellback tactical banshee rifle plate carrier is the best fit for me. As perfect as it gets in fact. I do run plates and level III-A soft armor as backers. I would suggest if you do not want to run plates being they can be heavy, just add the shooters cut level III-A soft armor that you can get from bulletproofme.com. They make it specifically for the banshee carrier and it adds enough rigidity to it w/o the weight of plates. TacticalAssaultGear.com has the banshee on sale for 129.99 and it has a lifetime warranty. For me, personally, my setup is a SHTF situation. Hope this helps. Banshee Plate Carrier- 129.99 through Tactical assault gear Level III-A 10.5X12 soft body armor, 220.00 for the pair through bulletproofme.com, 2.4 lbs for the pair Level III Advance shooters cut 10x12 plates through ar500.com i got them on sale for $70.00 a piece. 14lbs weight for both Again this is the set up that works for me. If you do not spend time in the gym i would suggest to start with the carrier and soft armor. Thanks for responding ATXSniper. That helps immensely as we have very similar builds. I'll definitely checkout the Shellback that you recommended. I'm still learning about armor so I'm not quite sure what you mean about plates with soft armor backers.....so I'll have to look that up and do some reading so I can follow along. Thanks also for detailing your setup, how, why, and what you run...including products and weights. That helped a ton. Thank you. Oversteer, Thank you for posting that link. Good reading. I read the whole thing so now at least I have a better understanding of where to wear them, and what they are designed to cover, and how to wear them properly. Now I just need to learn some more about plates in general, soft armor, etc. When I started my research, as silly as it sounds, I didn't even know what "SAPI" stood for and had to look it up. I think I need an "Armor and Plate Carriers for Dummies" book ;) Thanks! |
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HSGI sells a similar setup as the Haley D3. Quality, lightweight gear.
HSGI |
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