I have the chance to take part in some military training later this summer, and want a plate carrier for the event. It will replace my issue FLC.
Anyone have experience or opinions on the Eagle MC-CIRAS Land Armor Carrier vs the Tactical Tailor Releasable Armor Carrier.
Eagle: $490.00
Tac Tailor: $285.00
Not that it makes a difference, but both will be in Coyote. Any opinions or comparisons are appreciated.
Eagle MARCIRAS is awesome, not had a chance to try the tactical tailor. I love tac tailor but have found on a few of there items to be production driven not operator. Seems like whoever designed it was not out using it. But there quality is amazing and most of the stuff is great. The eagle vest is comfy and faily light weight but I prefer there plate carrier as its low profile.
I’m guessing you have a issued IBA too, what’s wrong with that?
Unfortunately the MARCIRAS’s cumberbund is a different animal than the land version (which is something I like too). But I will second the mistaken belief that those who are in the business of making and selling gear, actually use it.
Where I am, IBA is reserved for deploying units only.
We pretty much get everything we need but the IBA.
to be honest…neither. both rigs are too bulky and have a lot of excess shit on them. i’d suggest looking into some of london bridge’s stuff. a lot more low pro. don’t know what kind of plates and soft wrap you have but i just run plates without the wrap.
Did you have a specific model in mind? Recommendations are appreciated.
LBT 6094A…it won’t fit the full sized soft armor with the little flaps on the bottom but it will fit the plate shaped soft armor inserts if you got em. like i said i just run plates. hope that helps.
If you get a MAR-CIRAS…there is a guy on e-bay who sells a “Packman Quick Pull” that allows you to enter the vest with a fastex buckle and not have to pull the cummerbunds. It integrates into the realease system should you ever have to use it! This allows for you to use the “real estate” on the side of your choice for gear! I picked one up and it is made like a tank! It also allows you to enter the vest without needing another person’s help! You can also remove the internal cummerbund if you prefer when using the quick pull and everything works just as well! Great quality…I think he only makes them in khaki but you only see parts of the buckle anyway so it doesn’t matter! Just search the name in quotes above and you’ll find it (he’s an Australian paratrooper so his shit works and is durable)! Personally, I have had limited experience with you choices but in CIRAS, only go Maritime! The MAR-CIRAS does not have the plastic or kydex insert in the external cummerbund so it is a little more comfortable depending on your soft/hard armor choices. You cannot beat Eagle quality (down side is trying to find one right now; depending on size I know there are a few in coyote on e-bay right now; e-bay may be your only choice for finding one in the next few months as it took me 2 months to find a med khaki and I think I got the only one in the country!). I did get a next to new MAR-CIRAS off of e-bay for ~$400 (make sure if you do this that you get pics of the tags as there are tons of POS knock-offs out there!). Not knowing the quality of the LBT or TT first hand, I cannot speak to their durability but Eagle is spot on…as you know! PM me if I can be of further help! Good Luck!
Sparky
Kyle Defoor swears by the LBT group. Read up on his site.
You might want to look at the mayflower rig also. Heard lots of good things about their vest. Good luck.
Ky Cop
Are those the only two options available to you?
All options are on the table if you have a recommendation. I just researched TT and Eagle because as far as brands go, their reputation is very good.
I’m open though.
Are you buying the BALCS cut armor?
London Bridge does make some really solid gear, very well thought out design. I used to really love the pointblank i think FSBE (full spectrum ballistic equipment) not sure if you can still find those but maybe. I also have made a few custom carriers for some guys I know there really simple.
I like the MAR-CIRAS over the TT and LB, i have a personal one and love it. if you want more room in the front for pouches i like the MAR vs the MC from eagle.
I used to be all about Eagle but if you are open to other options i would also consider SORD gear( http://www.sordusa.net/erac---enhanced-releasable-armor-carrier )i really like their gear. i am currently using one of their plate carriers in Afghanistan right now, I think their Mag pouches are faster to get too. also check out their dump pouch, its pretty cool.
Do you need a plate carrier or armor system carrier?
The CIRAS (both flavors) was designed to carry BALCS cut armor + hard-armor plates.
The Tactical Tailor Releasable Armor Carrier (TTRAC) was designed ONLY to carry plates.
I was only planning on plate only. No BALCS cut armor
The CIRAS is pretty well liked around my workplace. Good overall kit. No experience with the TT but I’m sure there great as well. I’d go for the eagle though.
Then you would be wasting money on the CIRAS, and it would fit funky. As it is, there are better BALCS armor carriers out there. The CIRAS was top dog 8 years ago, not now.
If you want a carriage system I would recommend a plate carrier with cummerbund. There are several good options out there, but I would consider the Paraclete ARHCP to be the best of the breed. If you don’t care about a quick-ditch option, the Paraclete SOHPC is very good, and will save you about $100. Both come with armor in the cummerbund, which balances their price out. Grey Group carries them, but I have no idea about stock.
The Diamondback Tactical Advanced Warrior Fast Attack plate carriers are nice as well. One of them, can’t remember which off the top of my head, comes with soft armor behind the plate, which you might or might not need, depending on which plates you are using or planning to purchase.
I’m not understanding the desire for a PC. Do you know specifically what type of training that you’re going to be engaged in?
Military training constitutes a lot of different things, fill us in so the right people can help give you the best answers.
Wearing armor will induce more suckage 
Armor will better emulate deployment conditions.
The specifics of the training I would rather not go into to be honest