Body Armor

[Terlingueno]

Thinking I might want some rifle plates. Anyone with experience using these with a carrier? There is a vendor in Texas in Austin but I cant remember the name. Suggestions?

[MadMonkey]

You could be thinking of Bullet Proof Me... I believe they're based in Austin. I've heard good things but haven't ordered from them.

[gigag04]

GT carries Protech and Safariland rigs, and lvl 3 and 4 plates.

What's your intended use for the rig, and we might could steer you even further.

[Terlingueno]

GT carries Protech and Safariland rigs, and lvl 3 and 4 plates.

What's your intended use for the rig, and we might could steer you even further.

Who is GT?

I attended a training class and about half the participants had armor. I am attending several more over the next few months and would feel more comfortable with plates.

[gigag04]

http://www.gtdist.com/Category.aspx?Category=ARM" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

For more or less controlled environments like training classes (where you don't see a high probability of being intentionally shot at), I am a less is more fan when it comes to armor. Get a high cut carrier, with a few mag pouches, a dump pouch, and a hydration pack, and slip in some plates. If you have training, a blowout or med attachment could be argued for too.

[maverick2076]

I just picked up a plate carrier for myself as an alternative to wearing the IBA and/or IOTV that the Army issue. I went with this one:

http://www.tacticalassaultgearstore.com ... rrier.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It is a very minimalist rig, but it has everything that you need. IT holds two medium SAPI/ESAPI plates perfectly. Larges fit,although they stick out just a bit at the bottom corners. Honestly, if you are wearing plates in the proper place to actually protect your vitals, a medium plate is plenty big enough for most everyone. I'm 6' and 213 lbs, and they are great for me. The Banshee comes with both quick side clips and a cummerbund. I prefer the cummerbund...it is a lot more comfortable. The Banshee is easily adjustable and very comfortable...and it is a whole lot lighter than issued armor carriers. It doesn't provide the frag protection and soft armor coverage that the IOTV does, but to me the weight savings are worth it. Body armor should save your life, not make you invulnerable. Soft armor inserts are available for the Banshee as well if you want them.

I did add a plate carrier silencer from Ares Armor to my Banshee. IT allows you to use clips to fasten the cummerbund instead of velcro, and it is a great value for the money.

http://www.aresarmor.com/install/ecom-p ... A-PCS.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I have 4 HSGI "taco" ammo pouches on the PC. 3 are on the front panel, and one on the side. Tacos are pricey for mag pouches, but they can hold pretty much any size rifle pouch securely in an open-top format. I really like them, and I can use them with my AR or my AK.

http://www.hsgi.us/proddetail.php?prod=HSG-TACO&cat=34" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Velcro kangaroo pouch on the front of the Banshee is kind of a pain to get into, so I added this insert for it that turns it into a zipper pouch, which is great for admin use.

http://www.tacticalassaultgearstore.com ... pouch.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

On the back, I am running this 50 oz hydration carrier.

http://www.tacticalassaultgearstore.com ... rrier.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I also have this rip-away medical pouch from Condor on the back. I had purchased it for my first line belt, but it was too big for that. I am not sure what I am going to put in it, but probably extra first aid supplies and maybe some weapons lube.

http://www.condoroutdoor.com/ma41rip-awayemtpouch.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Banshee rides high enough to wear with a first line or war belt, which is a MOLLE belt that carries your essentials. I decided to try this concept out, and so far I am liking it. I started with a Condor Duty belt inside the Condor MOLLE war belt. The duty belt is fine, but their MOLLE belt isn't the best. I wanted to go cheap to try out the concept, and I got what I paid for. When I upgrade it, I will either go with the HSGI Sure Grip or the ATS war belt.

On my belt, I have a G Code holster on their duty belt drop attachment. IT attaches to the duty belt inside the MOLLE belt and comes out through an opening in the bottom of the MOLLE belt. I also have a two mag KYWI pistol pouch and a two mag KYWI rifle pouch made by ESSTAC. These pouches use kydex wedge inserts to hold the mags securely, and they are awesome. The rifle mags are size-specific, so I will have a separate belt for my AR and my AK.

http://www.skdtac.com/Esstac-Pistol-KYW ... ss.235.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.skdtac.com/Esstac-M4-KYWI-Do ... ss.233.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I also have an HSGI bleeder/blowout pouch on it. This is a small first aid kit. Inside it, I have a CAT, Israeli bandage, and a Hemacon bandage. I'd like to move the CAT to the outside and add some gauze and rubber gloves to the pouch. Where it has a slot for trauma shears, I put a small fixed-blade knife.

http://www.skdtac.com/HSGI-Improved-Ble ... sg.205.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Finally, I have a Condor dump pouch that I can use for empty mags. IT rolls up out of the way when I don't need it.

http://www.condoroutdoor.com/ma223-fold ... pouch.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The only thing I really want to add is a flashlight to my belt. I'm a big fan of this war belt/plate carrier setup. IT is comfortable, modular and easy to move in. If I have to drop my PC, I still have essentials with me on my belt.