Lets’ be honest, it was only a matter of time before I got to this one. Except this time with pictures. Time to discuss the newest and most popular item to hit the armed forces. Once only regulated to those who operated outside of normal military budget channels, plate carriers were only worn by a select few units. Around 2006 however that started to change thanks to the United States Marine Corps. Shortly after the adoption of the USMC’s IOTV, complaints flooded the War Lab and the Commandant’s own ears from Marines wanting a lighter and more a breathable vest.
Progress was slow but in 2008 the new incoming Commandant decided to make swift changes by personally ordering 500,000 Eagle Industries Plate Carriers in coyote brown. Immediate fielding began with all troops heading to Afghanistan. At about the same time the Army started to see the light and figured out that by reducing the unneeded soft armor and cordura, they too could cut weight. The Army would take a little while longer to select a new system and start fielding though.
Now I know what you are thinking. You’re saying to yourself, “this is an interesting story but what the hell does this have to do with airsoft?” Relax sugar tits I’m getting there! Well the problem with the IOTV was not just weight but that the vest trapped heat against the body and drastically aided in heat casualties. Hauling your butt around wearing almost 100 lbs of gear and climbing mountains almost as tall as Mt Hood in 120 degree heat would just about kill the most physically fit man. But our warriors had to still fight when they got up there and then hike all the way back down. It didn’t help that the vest was trapping in the body heat so what was 120 degrees now felt closer to 150 degrees. So as with the old adage ounces equals pounds and pounds equals pain, pounds had to go to make the trip less painful. Not to mention find ways of getting increased airflow in the vest.
Special Forces units all ready figured this one out…. In about 2002. The solution was to lower the protection against fragmentary rounds and keep the stuff that really mattered, the SAPI plates. So they ordered vests built primarily with just enough material to cover the plates. In enters the plate carrier. A load hauling system with integrated rifle plates for protection and none of the soft armor. This process cut the base weight of the carrier by 1/3 of the standard base weight of the current issued vest. In short a sacrifice of protection for comfort.
Why Would I Want a Plate Carrier for Airsoft?
Great question! If you answer yes to a majority of the following questions, this may be the option for you.
Do you participate in Mil-sim games where a hit to a ballistic plate saves you?
Is weight a major issue for you?
Do you want a lower level of protection for a higher level of comfort?
Ok so you figured out that this may be the kit for you so now what? How do go about picking the right carrier or know which one to get?
Picking the Right PC for You.
First just like with the chest rig you have to find out what you need to carry with you. This decides just how much MOLLE you need. So just like with the chest rig get everything you take with you on the field and toss it in a big pile. From there sort your stuff into the “I need it now” and the “I can take a minute” piles. Remember just like with the chest rig it’s the “I need it now” pile that we are concerned with at the moment. This pile will determine if you need a carrier with a cummerbund and how much front webbing you need. Once you figure that out, it’s time to go shopping.
As a side note here, it is smart to keep a few things reachable with both hands. Your magazines, a cutting tool and your CAT. IFACs can also go here but it’s an argumentative debate. One side is that you don’t need self access to this kit because if your hurt bad enough just use the CAT and shut off the leak at the source. If you are not hurt that bad then keep fighting till someone can assist you. The other side believes that you should be able to patch yourself up as needed. From personal and professional experience I find myself in the first group. Most major injuries can be stopped with the CAT. However if it cant then I find that you have enough time to get the carrier off and get to your kit or you need more help than you are able to provide yourself.
Notable Plate Carriers.
Ultra Light Weight
Crye Precision JPC
One of the slimmest and most light weight carrier on the market today, this is one you can’t go wrong with. Down side you will be giving up places for pouches in trade for that ability. If you like to run light and hard this may be the one for you.
Most Integrated
Mayflower Assault Pate Carrier
The Mayflower APC is one hell of a beast well constructed and littered with more than enough MOLLE webbing then you need, this kit rocks. But that is not what makes this piece of gear special. The ability to plug in a chest rig right into the vest without having any annoying shoulder straps in the way is just smart engineering. This means that stepping up to that next level of protection doesn’t mean shifting all your gear to a new rig. Just take it with you and plug on in. It’s as easy as counting to four.
Most Concealable
SKD PIG Brigandine Plate Carrier
All though in its pre-production phase, it is for sale in limited quantities to buyers. The ability to make your plates disappear comes with a down side though. No MOLLE and no place to stick your quick access items. This works great with those that have chest rigs that need that extra boost with armor.
As with the chest rigs there is many more out there. Some even better than what’s listed here. The biggest thing you can do is shop around and see what’s out there for yourself. The general rule is you get what you pay for. China Man makes some ok knock offs for a decent price. But you lose solid quality control, MOLLE webbing constantly sewn to spec and centered on the gear, as well as giving a hand up to those American owned and operated businesses. The big step is deciding what works for you.
Bellow is my current plate carrier, an EI PC with detached cummerbund and how its set up. This is changing and as of this posting I am waiting on about a dozen pouches to arrive. I will update this when they do show and get installed. Be advised this is my work rig so some things may seem out of place for airsoft. As it sits it weighs in at 30lbs. The front pouches are from DBT with the exception of the pistol mag pouch and the admin pouch. The back pouches are from BHI, EI and SO-Tech. The shoulder pads are from First Spear.
Whole PC
Front
Back
Contents of Back Pouches.
I run an IFAC and an extended trauma kit so that is why there is a lot of first aid stuff.
Found on front panel.
2 10 round 1911 magazines, 2 8 round 1911 magazines, 3 30 round PMags, EMT Sheers, CAT, 120 lums flashlight, Benchmade strap cutter.
What You Can’t See: Black map pen, 9 line medivac card, Map, 2 Large industrial zip ties, official licenses and IDs, and front and back lvl 4 standalone SAPI plates.
Found on back panel. From left to right:
Shemagh, surefire ear plugs, CR123 batts, Gerber multi tool, slip 2000 EWL, electric tape, needle resistant gloves, chem lights, red lens headlamp, GPS, face paint with mirror, SAM Splint, 3 cravats, Kerlix, abdominal dressing, 2 hemorrhage control bandages, emergency blanket, nasal airway tube, surgical gloves, blister ointment, decompression needle, spare CAT, standard band-aids, medical tape, and duct Tape. Missing from picture: Red permanent marker, AA batteries, AAA batteries, pack of 50 rubber bands, 200 ft 550 cord, IR strobe, 10 large black industrial zip ties, Oakley gloves, 3 IR chem lights, compass.
Go forth, ask questions and post your gear.
