Plate carrier recommendations

[Thesource161]

I'm currently getting ready to buy a plate carrier and plates. I am looking for any recommendations, websites, LEO friendly companies any information is appreciated.

[Spec]

AR500 has LEO specials and great active shooter carrier/plates specials. I highly recommend.

[CBR_rider]

DSGarms and US Armor (they have a site here in California, but most of their products may not quite be what you are looking for) are two places to look into. As far as brands, I think there are probably about a million different ones depending on price point/what you want it to do. I am in the market for some new kit right now myself; there are some great plate options out now (2lbs for plates?!). At this point I'm leaning towards a PIG plate carrier or London Bridge Trading.

[Samuelx]

I picked up a Shellback Tactical Banshee rifle plate carrier + a set of the optional padded shoulder pads not too long ago. I haven't completely loaded it up and trained with it yet but it seems really well built and comfortable.

One caveat though, a pair of older Large SAPI plates Will stick out about 3/4" past the bottom edge of the plate pockets, front and back. There seems to be enough flap and velcro material, front and back, to keep everything secure but if that will bother your OCD (it's on the verge for me - lol) you might want to run Medium sized plates in the Banshee.

http://shellbacktactical.com/

The founder/CEO, Mike, was a full-time LEO but recently retired and now runs the company full-time. They are LE friendly - contact them for details...

[Michael Ehline]

MARSOC uses PIGs.

[Heiko]

These recent threads might help you.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=919192&highlight=Shellback

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=953850

[Thesource161]

Those forums are helpful although I was looking for LEO recommendations or input was all. Thank you.

[mixicus]

Check out bulletproofme.com for plates

A nice basic active shooter/IAT rig that's affordable and effective:

The Level 4, stand alone, triple curve, shooter's cut, multi-hit for about $200/ea are a great value. Stuff those in a Shellback Banshee. Put triple kangaroo pouch (Condor) for 3ea AR/pistol mags on the front. "Police" patches (Blackhawk) front and back for ID. Then hang your IFAIK (tourniquets and Olaes bandages) off your support side.

You can always put side protection on later or hang other tools (small pry bar) later. Just make sure they are mission appropriate (it's for IAT not long term barricade) and worth the clutter/weight.

[SoCalDep]

I've purchased two Shellback Banshee plate carriers and have beat the dog-crap out of them... I just finished a week of training with the US Army in a Combat Medicine class that included me being dragged by the drag handle on my Banshee. All was good - and in my experience this isn't the case for all plate carriers. I really appreciated the mobility given by the smaller platform and it still carries everything I need. The Banshee was designed around 10"x12" plates but as has been mentioned by Samuelx, large SAPI plates will fit with some exposure.

If it's still going on, Tactical Assault Gear had a good sale going on with the Banshee for about $130 for the standard and a bit over $160 for the Quick Detach model.

As for plates, steel is an inexpensive, durable option but has some ballistic drawbacks (mainly high-velocity rounds such as XM193 and the LeMas load) and is heavy. Ceramic can be affordable (I got my multi-hit level IV plates for around $175 each) but is also heavy or really expensive, it is more fragile (don't drop 'em) but of all the options can (in level IV) stop the widest variety of rounds. There is also the option of lightweight polyethylene (sp?) plates which generally weigh about half or even less compared to steel or ceramic. I shot one plate and it stopped .223, 7.62x39, and a .308 soft-point at 10yds but green tip 5.56 zipped right through.

Therefore, base your decision on your budget, needs in terms of weight and mobility, and level of protection desired.