Vests and Armor Carriers

[Phireglass]

Ok its about time i go and get a rig for all my gear, I need something that will be secure, hold roughly 10-12 magazines and maybe a hydrating system. Ive looked around and the Blackhawk s.t.r.i.k.e. vest looks great, but theres no way I can spend 2 grand on a vest, keep in mind I dont plan on getting shot at so i wont need any sort of ballistic plates or anything but I would be open to an affordable (~400$) kevlar vest. I have my eye on this http://www.opticsplanet.net/uncle-mi...en-770261.html , anyone have one? What are you guys using?

[Lucky Scott]

Looks good, you can pick up some plates here on calguns if you want.

[Phireglass]

Any idea what they run? I would be looking at a level IV i guess

[technique]

1) 10-12 primary mags...that's too many. You have officially met and exceeded mallninja status.

2) Going cheap on ballistic is not really a good idea. I'm not saying go buy expensive ones, I'm saying don't bother. If you don't plan on getting shot you don't need em. Most of the "cheap plates" need to be used in conjunction with soft armor even though the are advertised as "stand alone".
Soft armor is going to give you yet another expense.

3) Now, I have already made my point above about running too many mags and I don't really expect you to listen so...keep in mind (BH is generally alright) that if you want to run a load that size you need to buy a well made, well stitched rig. You can't carry a load with cheap single stitch MOLLE or PALS.


Check here for armor if you decide on some.

http://bulletproofme.com/

[JeffM]

1) 10-12 primary mags...that's too many. You have officially met and exceeded mallninja status.

2) Going cheap on ballistic is not really a good idea. I'm not saying go buy expensive ones, I'm saying don't bother. If you don't plan on getting shot you don't need em. Most of the "cheap plates" need to be used in conjunction with soft armor even though the are advertised as "stand alone".
Soft armor is going to give you yet another expense.

3) Now, I have already made my point above about running too many mags and I don't really expect you to listen so...keep in mind (BH is generally alright) that if you want to run a load that size you need to buy a well made, well stitched rig. You can't carry a load with cheap single stitch MOLLE or PALS.


Check here for armor if you decide on some.
http://bulletproofme.com/

Someone's been spending too much time on LF

[technique]

Someone's been spending too much time on LF

Yes...so much in fact, I'm collecting materials to "roll my own" kit.

[Requiem]

1) 10-12 primary mags...that's too many. You have officially met and exceeded mallninja status.

Agreed. 8 mags is enough for a rig if you're intending to be in the fight for a good amount of time.

[Justin3]

I personally think the best carriers are Eagle Industry Plate Carriers. I've used Blackhawk and stuff when Ive done 7 hour milsim games and the Eagle PCs were the most comfortable and durable.

Personal opinion though. Most exactly real field tested, but I like to think that the milsim game is a decent test to the equipment used. Didn't have plates in there though.

[onikage]

If you are looking for a plate carrier that is both affordable and allows for some mobility, the Eagle Plate Carrier is the way to go. 175 with removable cummerbund at skdtac.com. It uses the Molle system so you can customize as needed. The Diamondback Tactical FAPC is very similar but offers less Molle real estate. I have never worn an FAPC but some say it is less comfortable compared to the EPC.

[Plisk]

I have a Maritime CIRAS made by Eagle Industries. It is a very high quality vest, plates for it are reasonable easy to find but the BALCS cut soft armor can be expensive.

[Phireglass]

1) 10-12 primary mags...that's too many. You have officially met and exceeded mallninja status.

2) Going cheap on ballistic is not really a good idea. I'm not saying go buy expensive ones, I'm saying don't bother. If you don't plan on getting shot you don't need em. Most of the "cheap plates" need to be used in conjunction with soft armor even though the are advertised as "stand alone".
Soft armor is going to give you yet another expense.

3) Now, I have already made my point above about running too many mags and I don't really expect you to listen so...keep in mind (BH is generally alright) that if you want to run a load that size you need to buy a well made, well stitched rig. You can't carry a load with cheap single stitch MOLLE or PALS.


Check here for armor if you decide on some.
http://bulletproofme.com/

I am looking for one capable of carrying a maximum of 12 magazines, I only have 7 pre-bans so thats what it will be holding, probably 6 max is what I would like to put on it, maybe a dump bag too, im also looking for a way to throw one of my camelbaks on it too

[Phireglass]

I have a Maritime CIRAS made by Eagle Industries. It is a very high quality vest, plates for it are reasonable easy to find but the BALCS cut soft armor can be expensive.

Is this just a carrier or does it have any kevlar or soft armor built in?

[technique]

I dug up my old set up pics...Inexpensive Condor carrier, $400 plates, hydration, Dump pouch, mag holders....

My style has changed drastically. I like most...made the mistake of buying more than I needed. I ended up pealing stuff I found useless off. I have gone through a lot of vests/carriers this last year and a half.

Now, I run a LBV that clips into my vest/carrier. And I carry only 4 mags on my rig its self, and utilize a "battle belt" for 1 spare mag, pistol mags, knife, dump pouch, small trauma kit.


Here is the old set up, probly something you like you are describing...




You can see, I ditched that and started going simpler. This below ended up being too simple. I like to run 4 mags upfront and since this was not a modular vest. I needed something else.




Its trial and error. Try and understand that now, you will be better off.

[Phireglass]

I have lots of stuff i can put on, hydration bladders, magazines, a trauma kit, XD holster yadda yadda, the only thing is i have no way of mounting all this, once i buy a rig i will plan out what will go where and what i will need, quick question technique, were those plates 400 a piece or was that for both?

[technique]

I think they were more like $250 a piece, something like that. I think I may have sold them for $400 for the set.

I was recommended to a guy on Ebay, and I got them from him. I can't recall his user name though. Here are some Ebay listings

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_trkparms=65%253A12%257C66%253A2%257C39%253A1%257C72%253A2464&_nkw=body%20armor%20plates&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_pgn=1