Ok, here’s my situation. I have been issued Paraclete Soft Body Armor and a Blackhawk Plate Carrier. Most of the time, when I wear either of these items, it is for warrant executions. When that happens, I wear the soft armor either over my clothes, or perhaps under a jacket, then I put the plate carrier on over that.
I like having the option to run both of these together, as the plate carrier has no side protection. I also like having the ability to wear the soft armor on its own, beneath other layers for some covert protection. Is there a plate carrier that I can put both my plates and my soft armor into and wear as one item, AND be able to separate them for singular use?
I have no idea how this system would work. Velcro? A fast detachment mechanism? Maybe I’m just being picky…
What cut is your soft armor? If it were me I would run one of the TYR Tactical low-vis picos. TAG also has a nice slick plate carrier as well. Those would be my options but it depends on what cut of soft armor you have.
The Tag slick is nice carrier http://www.lapolicegear.com/tag-slick-plate-carrier.html . Just wanted to mention that if your big guy with wide neck, the straps might rub/cut into neck a little. Mine did and ended up selling, really wanted it to work because was solid carrier with lots of options (ended up getting hard armor). This was just my experience (non- LEO, MIL, anything) so might not be prob/issue for you. BTW I’m 6’1, 200lbs.
I’m with Endur, let us know what cut your soft panels are when you get a chance. Paraclete makes some armor carriers as well, and if they are a proprietary cut, then you’d have to use one of their carriers for the best fit. I’ve had experience with the Mayflower Low Profile Armor Carrier, and it allowed for plates to inserted separately. My issue with it was the lack of velcro for ID strips.
I’m on the warrant unit on my department, so my mission is probably pretty similar to yours, i.e. mostly plain clothes. I’ve been looking for a similar solution for a while as well. I’ve been thinking about creating a slick carrier for my soft armor that would take a swift-clip style attachment for a chest rig with pouches that would serve run-of-the-mill warrant services. For high-threat/risk services, the chest rig could be removed and my Diamondback FAPC (no C-bun) could be placed over top to give me plates. I figured in that configuration that I wouldn’t have to change my plate carrier so it’s still ready for when I’m in uniform.
Our normal “raid” vest is one of the Second Chance/Point Blank R20D carriers. We have on order the R20D MOLLE versions that will allow us to slip in plates when needed. I’m not a huge fan of them since there is room for improvement, but they do work.
Thanks for all the responses. My Paraclete soft armor is DSTS3A in a Large (I’m 5’11" ~175 lbs). I don’t know the actual model of the Blackhawk plate carrier since I don’t think its in production any longer. I checked their site and none of them have the side adjustment straps that mine does (I don’t care for it, FYI).
I am considering going to a tailor and seeing if they could some up with something, perhaps utilizing velcro on the contact surfaces, but I don’t know if that would impede putting the plate carrier on, over the soft armor, if I didn’t already have them attached. The plate carrier itself has some pretty awful fit adjustments so I was considering cutting them off in favor of some elastic, or some velcro.
Try calling Velocity Systems and explaining exactly what you want/need, they may be able to make a custom low pro Armor carrier for you. I’ve had very good experience with their customer service.
You’re not going to find anything production made to take paraclete panels and have a QD plate carrier capability.
Paracelete soft armor comes in many shapes and sizes (RMV, RBAV, FTOC, AWS, APC, etc). Unless you have an AWS or RBAV which is BALSC cut, you’re going to need to stick to Paraclete carriers (or have something custom made).
I would look at a nicer PC to use solo, and run the Paraclete the way it is. What model Paraclete vest do you have? They should all have plate pockets in them…