Plate carriers?

RangerWillrett · Jan 27, 2020

AR500 has a minimalist carrier that is pretty nice. Some people hate on their steel plates but that are a great place to start.

Norton · Jan 28, 2020

fbi_surveillance_van said:
Ferro Concepts uses their own ADAPT system, which is just a couple thin metal G hooks and Velcro backing on their placards (the thing with the mag pouches that you can attach to the Slickster plate carrier). Example below where you can see the system a little better

https://ferroconcepts.com/collections/front-flaps/products/adapt-molle-front-flap

It is a nice system and very low profile. it is also proprietary so you are only going to get front placards from Ferro Concepts unless someone else starts making them. The industry standard, which is slightly less low profile, allows you to use any chest rig or placard that uses the itw Nexus buckles, aka the Swiftclip system. There are tons of chest rigs and placards that use the swiftclip system.

Examples:

https://www.velsyst.com/products/uw-chest-rig-gen-iv
https://haleystrategic.com/d3crm-micro
https://www.spiritussystems.com/lv-placard-5-56/

Plate carriers that utilize natively are around too. Like the Spiritus 119 system:

https://www.spiritussystems.com/c-o-v-e-r-t-front-plate-bag/
https://www.velsyst.com/products/scarab-lt

Those aren't the only two systems out there - Crye has their own quick attachment system now with the JPC 2.0.

Personally I like the Swiftclip system because I can go from just having medical supplies to being ready to go with an MP7, SCAR H, M4, AK, or basically anythjng just by swapping placards. And if I decide I want a new plate carrier, I can just port everything over. You can put a Swiftclip adapter kit on the Slickster just like most other plate carriers if you want. I just think the Spiritus Systems plate carrier is better if you want to go that route.

For truly low profile, I like the First Spear Slick, as it is cheap (less than $100 retail), comfortable, and I can just keep a chest rig nearby if I need to. Since the harness of any chest rig I own uses the the Swiftclip system, I already have what I need since I use placards with that system for my regular plate carrier.

https://www.skdtac.com/FirstSpear-The-Slick-x2122-Ultralight-Plate-Car-p/fsr.521.htm

Hopefully that helps. The bottom line is that the Slickster is a great plate carrier and you would be well served by it or any other modern light weight one. Also don't get in a hurry to get side plates. They are expensive and heavy for their limited coverage.

Awesome - lots to consider there. I think one of the things I've learned over the years is to go with standardized systems and to try to avoid proprietary systems if possible.

Norton · Jan 28, 2020

JPG said:
I’ve started thinking about this in the last couple months. Found this video helpful.

Wow - this is a actually pretty good and takes me in a different direction than I was expecting. He makes a lot of sense to say that for us civilians, that we should be thinking in terms of what a soft armor with the addition of plates does for us more so than to think about a typical military set up.

Maybe that's the real solution for my intended use - a super low profile soft body armor, a la a more law enforcement type under clothing base. Add a plate of desired. Then have an appropriately set up chest rig that carries the desired gear.

My current chest rig is too sparse in terms of real estate unless I was going to reconfigure it to have another layer out front.

Norton · Jan 28, 2020

RangerWillrett said:
AR500 has a minimalist carrier that is pretty nice. Some people hate on their steel plates but that are a great place to start.

Will check it out.

Norton · Jan 28, 2020

ohen cepel said:
Tons of options and everyone will have their best solution.

I like steel as I saw too many ceramic plates get broken in the sandbox. Don't like the newer plastic type of stuff as heat can mess it up and it has a life expectancy. So, I prefer steel as it will serve my kids when I'm gone.

Good points. Was the breakage due to just daily wear and tear/getting knocked around, or something else?

Being realistic, this is going to hang on a hook probably for the rest of my life, just like the fire extinguisher on the wall.

erwos · Jan 28, 2020

I would strongly encourage reading this before buying AR500 plates:
https://www.reddit.com/r/tacticalge...ous_discussion_on_ar500_and_steel_body_armor/

I get that ceramics have issues when they are being actively smashed around in a warzone. That is not the use case the OP seems to describe.

I have a minimalist carrier with (certified) LIII poly plates for LARP'ing at classes and so on. If I ever thought I'd need better protection, I'd buy certified ceramic LIV or SRT plates.

YerNotGood · Jan 28, 2020

Norton said:
I watched the first of several videos this guy has up. He's former military (maybe Marine since he keeps ragging the Army), but he seems to have a pretty sensible approach to things.

He's an active duty SERE instructor in the Air Force. He is definitely one of my favorite gear reviewers due to the fact that he gets to test a lot of stuff in the field. :thumbsup:

AssMan · Jan 28, 2020

Don't have anything to contribute, but this is a great thread. I'm currently running a Condor carrier with AR500 plates. They're pretty heavy and I've been casually looking for a lighter option. I wasn't going to replace the carrier, but maybe I will after reading this thread.

Speed3 · Jan 28, 2020

The video that JPG posted makes lots of sense to me. I know NOTHING about plates/carriers etc...learned a little from the video

AssMan · Mar 4, 2020

What did you end up going with?

AssMan · Mar 4, 2020

fbi_surveillance_van said:
Ferro Concepts uses their own ADAPT system, which is just a couple thin metal G hooks and Velcro backing on their placards (the thing with the mag pouches that you can attach to the Slickster plate carrier). Example below where you can see the system a little better

https://ferroconcepts.com/collections/front-flaps/products/adapt-molle-front-flap

It is a nice system and very low profile. it is also proprietary so you are only going to get front placards from Ferro Concepts unless someone else starts making them. The industry standard, which is slightly less low profile, allows you to use any chest rig or placard that uses the itw Nexus buckles, aka the Swiftclip system. There are tons of chest rigs and placards that use the swiftclip system.

Examples:

https://www.velsyst.com/products/uw-chest-rig-gen-iv
https://haleystrategic.com/d3crm-micro
https://www.spiritussystems.com/lv-placard-5-56/

Plate carriers that utilize natively are around too. Like the Spiritus 119 system:

https://www.spiritussystems.com/c-o-v-e-r-t-front-plate-bag/
https://www.velsyst.com/products/scarab-lt

Those aren't the only two systems out there - Crye has their own quick attachment system now with the JPC 2.0.

Personally I like the Swiftclip system because I can go from just having medical supplies to being ready to go with an MP7, SCAR H, M4, AK, or basically anythjng just by swapping placards. And if I decide I want a new plate carrier, I can just port everything over. You can put a Swiftclip adapter kit on the Slickster just like most other plate carriers if you want. I just think the Spiritus Systems plate carrier is better if you want to go that route.

For truly low profile, I like the First Spear Slick, as it is cheap (less than $100 retail), comfortable, and I can just keep a chest rig nearby if I need to. Since the harness of any chest rig I own uses the the Swiftclip system, I already have what I need since I use placards with that system for my regular plate carrier.

https://www.skdtac.com/FirstSpear-The-Slick-x2122-Ultralight-Plate-Car-p/fsr.521.htm

Hopefully that helps. The bottom line is that the Slickster is a great plate carrier and you would be well served by it or any other modern light weight one. Also don't get in a hurry to get side plates. They are expensive and heavy for their limited coverage.

Can you help me understand how the Swift Clip system works with a slick carrier (or one that doesn't have the female connectors)? I see that they sell a kit that will attach female connectors to a 1" nylon strap, but on my Condor carrier (or these slick carriers) it's not obvious to me where I'd even attach the adapter kit?

Muleskinner · Mar 4, 2020

OLM-Medic said:
I was looking into a LVAC that holds soft armor and ares if desired. I like soft armor for most things.

https://www.googleadservices.com/pa...=2ahUKEwiYsI3liIHoAhWjgXIEHaqSD7IQ0Qx6BAgMEAE

Swearengen · Mar 4, 2020

Check out the Spiritus Systems LV-119 I love mine very modular with lots of options: covert vs overt, slick or placard or chest rig, tubes or velcro, molle or elastic cummerbund.

other options: Perroz LPSPC, Crye JPC, JPC 2.0, SPC,

Figure out what size plates you need before ordering the carrier. Also figure out what type of plates you need Level III, III+, IV. Avoid steel armor

https://www.reddit.com/r/QualityTacticalGear/wiki/armor

https://www.reddit.com/r/QualityTacticalGear/comments/c6sao4/equipment_purchasing_guide/

photoracer · Mar 4, 2020

I have had some for awhile, actually back when I lived in MD. I bought a basic US Palm carrier with certified IIIA kevlar panels. I later picked up both certified Level III AR500 and ceramic plates. I stuck the AR500 plates in a tactical vest/carrier I have (I seldom if ever use it as its really heavy for my age these days). I usually either just use the IIIA ballistic panels in the USP carrier as its hard to see its being worn or I add the ceramic plates in front of the kevlar panels for more protection and the basllistic panels acts as a cushion.

lazarus · Mar 5, 2020

Swearengen said:
Check out the Spiritus Systems LV-119 I love mine very modular with lots of options: covert vs overt, slick or placard or chest rig, tubes or velcro, molle or elastic cummerbund.

other options: Perroz LPSPC, Crye JPC, JPC 2.0, SPC,

Figure out what size plates you need before ordering the carrier. Also figure out what type of plates you need Level III, III+, IV. Avoid steel armor

https://www.reddit.com/r/QualityTacticalGear/wiki/armor

https://www.reddit.com/r/QualityTacticalGear/comments/c6sao4/equipment_purchasing_guide/

Steel has some perks. That said I would use it with a spall cover. I went with Kevlar spall covers rather than a build up coat. Slightly more expensive. Weighs approximately the same and the testing I’ve seen spall covers can take a fair beating (several rifle shots) before giving up the ghost where as build up coats might be okay for a couple. Maybe a few if you are pretty lucky and edge hits are likely to spall.

pidevildog07 · Mar 11, 2020

Norton said:
Anyone have any experience running a Slickster plate carrier?

Looks like the ideal setup for a civilian based vest - low profile enough to fit under a jacket or oversized shirt, yet flexible enough to scale up to bigger needs.

Re-evaluating some things with a "fire extinguisher" mentality - better to have it and not need than to need it and not have it.

Last Monday in Richmond got me to thinking on some things.

https://ferroconcepts.com/products/the-slickster

Give this a look. As the name implies it is to be worn under something else. Though the slickster does come with mag pouches from the get go if you get the cummerbund.

https://www.skdtac.com/PIG-BRIG-SKD-10x12-Level-IV-Stand-Alone-Plate-Pa-p/pig.910.htm

You can scale it in anyway you can imagine. The only downside is that they won't fit right with most plates. The good news is there are MANY manufacturers that sell different soft armor profiles (Defendr, Spartan, Ar500, Gsa06, Tactical Scorpion Gear, and hell Vism has some as well.) from you to choose from.

woodline · Mar 12, 2020

snallygaster said:
Can you help me understand how the Swift Clip system works with a slick carrier (or one that doesn't have the female connectors)? I see that they sell a kit that will attach female connectors to a 1" nylon strap, but on my Condor carrier (or these slick carriers) it's not obvious to me where I'd even attach the adapter kit?

If the plate carrier is completely slick then typically you would just use the swiftclip setup as a chest rig instead of a placard. Buy the straps/find the ones that came with the placard you bought, put them on, and throw that over top. That's what I do with the first spear carrier I linked to. If there is molle, obviously you can just loop into that, or have a tailor put a few loops of something like molle on your carrier.

Norton · Jun 14, 2020

Here's one that popped after doing some reading.

https://www.gadsdendynamics.com/collections/all/products/alpc-plate-carrier?variant=29243617017958

I wonder which of the 3 front options to go with.

Loop
PALS
3665

pidevildog07 · Jun 14, 2020

Norton said:
Here's one that popped after doing some reading.

https://www.gadsdendynamics.com/collections/all/products/alpc-plate-carrier?variant=29243617017958

I wonder which of the 3 front options to go with.

Loop
PALS
3665

Id say either pals for custom load out or 3556 which is what is displayed. Theres an ass load of loop there and I've read about shearing strength claims by other companies some of which don't have a supplemental retention system (G-hooks, plastic buckles) incorporated. I'd call them and ask about the specific type of hook and loop and if it's velcro, avoid like coronavirus. I just don't see it having the reliability of say 3m dual lock.

Pals has been around FOREVER and a day and has been perfected to death. The only thing to look for is the type of stitching material and how it's stitched together (double, triple, nylon bond, etc). The problem I see (opinion time, you've been warned) with loop is how many attach/ re-attach cycles it can go through before it starts to degrade if you're into constantly changing loadouts. Plus you'd have to worry about environmental factors like water, tree branches, anything that has a hook to it miraculously ripping your mag pouches off the front.

So really what I want to say is it's a balance between perceived use, personal preference, situation dictating, and USA because you can do anything you damn well please. :party29:

woodline · Jun 14, 2020

I would personally go PALS since they seem to offer the other two front bottoms as aftermarket options for $50 each. PALS is reliable, even though it is kind of a pain in the rear to thread.

Plate carriers?

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