Please be brief and factual with your first hand experience with your current plate carrier choice.
-What plate carrier do you currently use?
-How did you choose this make/model?
-Likes/Dislikes? Strengths/weaknesses?
Feel free to include picture at your leisure.
Thanks.
-What plate carrier do you currently use? MC PIG PC w/ soft armor compatible cummerbund.
-How did you choose this make/model? After a lot of research and a friend who purchased one and loved it. The most important thing for me was to have a PC that would allow me to mimic my EDC of my belt mounted gear. The features played a big role such as the different CB’s, split front, ladder rail system and the way the plates are held in place is simple but so effective. A little playing around and the PIG is very comfortable, I cut the top of the internal front pad to the shape of the plates and this provided a much better stock placement as long as using the double d ring kit. Removing the back pad made it a bit thinner and the pontoons provide adequate comfort and air flow. Will be adding the PIG Grunt pack but will have it so that it will QD from the carrier via buckles.
-Likes/Dislikes? Strengths/weaknesses? It’s very comfortable, modular, easy on/off. No real dislikes or weaknesses at the moment. The price was a bit high but after owning it for a bit it was worth every penny.
I posted this in your other thread as well.
Purchased an Eagle LE Plate Carrier w/ Cummerbund. I based my decision on price, reviews, and what was in stock.
I purchased it for a basic carbine class and SHTF/Disaster scenario. I couldn’t afford to do the PIG and the Mayflower wasn’t in stock in color/size I wanted.
It looks to be very well made, especially for $175! I’ve read good things on Eagle branded gear and I think I will be happy with this for the use it will see. I honestly think it would be fine if I was using it more often as well.
I have only checked it out in the house, but it went well with my USGG belt setup. Pistol is easy to draw from the belt.
Waiting on a few other pouches to finish it up for now. A PIG 2L hydration carrier is going to be mounted on back.
Quick shot of me with the Eagle LE PC w/ Cummerbund
I chose the PIG after quite a bit of experience with other systems. I started with a PACA vest with the old velcro snap configuration. When that expired we went with HSGI Wassatch which is good, just over kill for my/our needs.
I did a lot of research and got the PIG. It rides high like a plate carrier should and is comfortable. In fact I have been able to reconfigure my belt by taking my holster off of the thigh rig. I could wear it with my duty belt without it conflicting. It is easy to put on quickly, unlike some of the other armor I have been issued/worn. I have not found a downside to the PIG yet. Plus SKD is great to deal with.
I use an ATS mag pouch, don’t remember the model, that holds 3 ar mags and 3 Glock mags piggy backed. And then various other pouches for other things, like DD’s, lights IFAK and so forth.
-What plate carrier do you currently use?
Not sure if it counts, but Mayflower low-profile armor carrier
-How did you choose this make/model?
I wanted a scalable solution, from concealed with soft, to slightly less concealable with plates, to self-contained with attachable load carriage. I still don’t know of any other way to do what I have with another brand.
-Likes/Dislikes? Strengths/weaknesses?
They changed the design on the new ones and they are bulkier and don’t fit my plates. Otherwise the current version is “better”. I might consider buying one size smaller in the new version if I really needed armor a lot.
ETA:
I also tried the BFG LMAC. I REALLY like this carrier but again my plates weren’t the right shape. If I was buying a traditional carrier, I would get this or look real hard at the new quick-release carrier from First Spear. One of my chief complaints with all carriers is that they are meant for pros to wear all day long, and are not often easy-on/off which I think non-LE civilian, and probably even LE, carriers should be.
-What plate carrier do you currently use?
BAE/Eclipse RBAV-AF here.
-How did you choose this make/model?
The same way anyone determines what equipment they prefer. Years and hundreds (probably thousands) spent on other gear, finding out what I like, what I dont.
-Likes/Dislikes? Strengths/weaknesses?
Like: Releasable, good commo/hydro/restraint/sling routing through the vest, integrated hydro carrier, good release loop cover flap design. Dislike: Light denier construction. If youre not going to make the thing like a CP Airlite or S&S aluminum skeleton thing, make it a full 1000+ D. I have heard the side platebags also sagged a bit with the original design if one wore plates and ran with it on but I cannot replicate the issue with 3.5 lbs. 6x8" SA Ceramic plates. I would consider stitching a 2" strip of Type 7 4088 to the bottom of the outer MOLLE cummerbund to help support the platebag if this issue presented.
That is a great site! I saw the information is very usefule!
Please be brief and factual with your first hand experience with your current plate carrier choice.
-What plate carrier do you currently use?
Mayflower APC
-How did you choose this make/model?
I was looking for something that was “lightweight”, low profile, something that rides high and doesn’t interfere with a belt system and didn’t have all the extra features that I would never use…something SIMPLE
-Likes/Dislikes? Strengths/weaknesses?
I love how low profile and utterly simple the rig is. No frills. Also, for being one that is so simple and low profile (with no extra padding) it is actually very comfortable! I really can’t think of anything that I dislike to be honest…I will say that it took me a while to get it adjusted correctly to my body (ride heigth, tightness, ect.) but I would imagine that that is how every carrier is if you’re being picky about it…as far as the no extra frills goes, as long as you know that you aren’t getting all the extra features like padding or a quick detatch system or places to route comms, wires, or camelbak hose then you won’t miss em and see it as a “dislike”
Feel free to include picture at your leisure.
Will update my thread reviewing the APC (link below) with pics so you can see it
Here is the link to a quick review I did for it a while back…will update with pics…Quick Review: Mayflower APC.
I use the BFG LMAC. The JPC is also very nice.
Here is a pic of my setup.
In use:
Description of setup:
https://www.m4carbine.net/showpost.php?p=1152997&postcount=353
Beez… A slick carrier with soft panel is ideal for civilian use in my opinion. Discretion is probably more likely than Zombie slaying with a Modern Warefare rig.
What Plate Carrier do you currently use?
Mayflower APC.
How did you chose the make.model
I compared a couple of different models to include the PIG, Eagle,TAG and Crye models. I was looking for a a PC that was fairly low profile, easy to customize and modify when I needed to and wouoldn’t break the bank. The Mayflower APC and PIG where neck and neck until SKD had there “Suck It” sale. I ended up with the Mayflower and so far am very satisifed. Definitely handles all of my needs.
Likes/Dislikes Strengths/Weaknesses
I really like how low profile it is relatively speaking. I’m carrying 4 PMags up front, a 3 pistol mag shingle on the left side cumberbund, IFAK on the right side. flash light and Multi tool pouch on the right side also. I can wear my handgun in a Raven Holster on the right and the PC doesn’t interfere with my draw at all. I’m also carrying plate backers and plates front and back. The fit fine within the pockets and are very stable. Over all the PC fits fine and is very comfortable to wear for extended periods.
I really do not have any dislikes so far. It’s well built, comfortable, fairly low profile and fits my needs.
I have been using a Eagle PC with cummerbund for about years now and it is great. I ave seen the ewer ones that have come out lately and see o reason to up grade. They really have not done anything truly new to the PC, except make it lighter. But that is not a big concern to me.
Let me preface it by saying that I am a civilian, and the only reason I got a plate carrier was because I got a great deal on plates (gamma III +) that DocGR tested.
-What plate carrier do you currently use?
I use DBT FAPC Gen II plate carrier.
-How did you choose this make/model?
The reason I got it was the price. Initially I bought BFG LMAC, and it was ok, considering this was my first ever plate carrier. However, I found FAPC Gen II on Ebay for 55 vs 230 for LMAC. Considering that my PC will spend the majority of its time laying in a bag, I felt that it was a worthy trade off. I also tried FAPC Gen I, and the Gen II is definitely better.
-Likes/Dislikes? Strengths/weaknesses?
The only dislike is the way it holds plates. I have medium sized carrier, and large, SAPI style plates. The plates are a little loose vertically in the plate pocket (about 1.5" of play). It’s not a big deal, and the carrier still keeps the plates at the right location.
It also has a nice cangaroo pouch on the front that can accept various attachments. For more details, check out military moron’s site.
-I use aTAG Banshee.
-I chose it due to good reviews and the Cost:Feature ratio. The 35% off on Black Friday sealed the deal
-Strengths
Made well
Comes with cummerbund ant no additional cost
Rides very high
Can be used w/o cummerbund for more low profile deployment
I am only 5’7 and it works even for my short torso
-Weaknesses
TAG customer service resulting from Black Friday fiasco
Overall a great product.
Invest in the Shoulder Pad Accessory Set. They are tits.
Can be used with the PIG Kangaroo Pouch Mag Insert . The TAG kangaroo zipper pouchis also useful.
Not as padded as the SKD PIG, but I wear mine with soft armor underneath.
I have worn this for a few weeks on 8 hour shifts. I wore it on an 11 mile hike. I am impressed with the comfort.
I still want an SKD PIG, but for the price you can not beat the TAG Banshee.
What model is that? Thank you.
What Plate Carrier do you currently use?
TAG/Shellback banshee
How did you chose the make.model
I chose it based on price/reviews/brand. I wanted a quality pc made from a reputable brand and I found it. I compared it to other quality brands with good feedback. It was between the PIG, Banshee and I believe it was ops corp or something. I wanted padded shoulder pads, cummerbund, the ability to use soft armor and side plates. I also wanted it to be light weight but still have plenty of real estate. Got down between the PIG and Banshee. Chose the Banshee because I could get the optional shoulder pads from tag and sew on velcro and the back and attatch the pontoon pads from skd and still be cheaper than the pig.
Likes/Dislikes Strengths/Weaknesses
Pros; light weight, highly adjustable, comfortable, use with or without molle cummerbund, high quality construction
Cons; shoulder pads split (but easy fix with tags new shoulder pads), non split front
*I’m a civillian.
**I think people should also say if they have had any other plate carriers as well. For instance this is my first/only carrier so I don’t have much to compare it too.
What Plate Carrier do you currently use?
SKD piggy, with elastic cummerbund
How did you chose the make.model
Reviews online, looking at pictures of the padding kind’ve sold me.
Likes/Dislikes Strengths/Weaknesses
pros-It feels pretty comfortable, I’ve been running it for a while now but only very recently did i get plates for it. Impressed with how comfortable it still is even with 10+ extra pounds in there. The split flap in the front is pretty convenient. Its nice to be able to keep one cummerbund attached. Ladder system on shoulders is a great way to adjust for all sizes and a good interface (i would imagine) for rig mounted slings.
cons-
Cost- Pricey and i wonder if a TAG Banshee would have been “just as good”
It’s the Beez Combat systems NIJ carrier.
http://beezcombatsystems.com/BCS-NIJ-Carrier-BCS-NIJ.htm
Here’s the front… It’s like a beefy version of a concealment carrier.
Updated my post above
Mark: What soft panels did you use for that? How concealable is it with those straps going across the front? How’s the quality? I’ve been looking for a rig like that as well…
I picked up some IIIa soft panels from GreyGroup… I think the biggest panels fill the carrier, but I could check the size. I’ve not tried to wear it in a concealment fashion… although any loose coat would do it. It’s built well. Good material and velcro.
It works well with concealment style soft panels in a larger size than you run for a normal concealed carrier under a uniform shirt. That’s what I liked about it… it’s a beefed up concealment carrier that gives me more coverage without all the crap on the chest that messes up your prone.
