plate carriers.
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You are currently reading a thread in /k/ - Weapons
You are currently reading a thread in /k/ - Weapons
so, i'm looking into getting a modular plate carrier and i keep seeing Condor stuff. they look good and have a decent price tag, but all i hear is you guys talk shit about Condor. what's so wrong with it? is it something you just make fun of or is there a reason i shouldn't buy pic related.
>>27942314
>Shitty stitching.
>Shitty fabric.
>Turbo shitty elastic.
Condor is the stuff airsofters get, because its not actually meant to hold weight for extended periods of time.
If you're actually wearing it in a combat environment day in and day out, it's going to fall apart. If you're just wearing it for cosplay on /k/ and sunny days at the range, meh, not exactly a hard use environment.
>>27942340
what would you recommend me getting then? i plan on putting AR500 plates in it among other things.
>>27942369
Considering that all you can afford are AR500 plates why are you even asking besides airshit tier vests?
>>27942650
i buy vest now, save, buy plates later. pretty much how i do everything. i buy a rifle, wait, save and buy scope. that way i can afford decent stuff instead of buying shit stuff, but i'd still rather buy the cheapest option.
The elastic is shit everything else about it is ok. I bought one and replaced the elastic with bungee cords has held up well so far.
![Paraclete_SOHPC-SKD-2[1].jpg](https://i.imgur.com/Jr7M9w5.jpg "Paraclete_SOHPC-SKD-2[1].jpg")
>>27942369
Look into the Paraclete SOHPC. It retails for $170.
>>27942314
If you like the idea of modularity, you could look at an LBT 6094a slick ($170ish) and pair it up with a good chest rig.
>>27942674
>not buying cheapest option
>buying AR500
Pick one.
AR500 sucks ass. They're heavier than SAPI and they don't fill out the pocket so they move around. Spend the extra $20 and buy ceramics for $140. Or wait for a good deal like I did. I got a set of Paraclete plates for $170 from Tyre Tactical because of a contract overrun.
>>27942915
How well do these work together in practice?
>>27943165
well, i'm new to this and i didn't know that AR500 wasn't my best option. thank you for enlightening me
>>27943165
What makes those plates better than the others? i'm new to this as well and am curious?
>>27943441
AR500 weight more, but have better multiple strike stopping capability from what I understand.
if they are correctly sized to your carrier and don't move around they should be just fine.
I have no first hand experience with this, so I may very well be wrong.
>>27942314
I bought that exact model in your photo and it seems pretty sturdy for the money. For 70 bucks you can certainly try it out, then get something serious later if you want
>>27943656
Yeah, I made the mistake of buying AR500 plates. Ceramics are multi hit too. If you're getting shot in the chest I'm the first place your shit sucks, get shot more than twice and you're probably too wounded to move anyways.
Also, they will move around. Plate carriers are designed to fit 3/4" thick ceramic plates. Steel plates are just too thin. I guess you could back it with foam or something.
>>27943549
The Paraclete plates? They're lightweight lvl 4 ESAPIs. 5lbs a piece and normally retail for something like $800 a piece and I got them for $170 a set. My point was that if you are patient and keep an eye out for deals then getting good armor is very affordable. Hell, even budget lvl 4 SAPI type plates from Armour Wear are only $20 more than a heavy as fuck steel plate that will give you saggy tit syndrome.
>>27943803
Do you by chance live in Oregon and work as a security officer?
>>27943165
Where are these $140 ceramics?
anyone wear surplus?
I never see them in these threads, but they seem like they'd be better than condor
>>27942314
For all the shit talking about AR500 armor on here, they have the Banshee plate carrier on sale for 135 bucks before shipping right now (JUST GET THE CARRIER). Get that carrier or a Mayflower APC for like 220 or something, then get yourself some ceramics later. Condor sucks shit.
>>27944846
Level 4 sapis from armor wear weigh the exact same as level 4 from AR500 though. They do cost 15 dollars less though
>>27945031
Armour-Wear, Skdtac has some for $170 I believe. AR500 the company sells $140 SAPIs, I just don't like their steel plates.
>>27945230
Sorry, I wasn't clear. I was talking about steel plates made out of AR500 steel. I have no problem with their SAPIs.
>>27945146
you don't see them because they are not as cool looking as some of the other shit have in these threads, they also do not cost a fuckton of money, which brings the cool factor to near zero.
But they are affordable and functional and built to military spec.
eagle spc are surplus cheap (150-300) dollars and have sewed in soft armor. I put ESAPI gambler's plates in mine.
>>27945518
how do you like the spc? currently in the middle of possibly getting one.
Hey /k/, difficult question,
Im already good on what kind of plates to get, ceramics I found at SGC for like 110$, also some 130 compressed ones, might get ar500 later for shits and gigglies
But
What are some decent plate carriers that arent Condor brand Condor bad-stitching im hearing about but dont want to equally spend 300-500$ on some tactifag gear queer bullshit, something maybe around poorfag area of maybe 90$ is my middle. The Paraclete SOHPC looks pretty nice, but anything cheaper????
>>27945580
LBT makes some pretty good slick carriers for cheap. They are pretty good and durable IMO.
>>27945580
>>27945602
Admittedly its "airshit" brand these are actually made by an offshoot of LBT and this is my carrier that I use. It's actually very well made for what it is intended for and its pretty /comfy/
>>27943441
dont listen to him, hes an idiot. the weight difference is negligible and steel doesn't break when you drop it of have a shelf life. AR500 is fine
>>27945646
*or
>>27945646
>believing shelf lives
>dropping your plates
>>27945546
it is pretty tough and durable, but very basic. It does everything I need it (hold pouches and armor). The issued shoulder pads work but suck. I replaced them with HSGIs and sewed the covers on.
>>27945580
AWS operator plate carrier is pretty cheap and is a legitimate (non airshit) LBT 6094 clone. That or surplus carriers.
>>27945646
>AR500 is fine
for poorfaggots
>>27945646
Yeah, i dont know what im taking about. Up to 6lbs difference depending on the quality of plates you buy is negligible. I literally wear this shit every day for work. Saggy titties of steel is a huge pain in the ass for 12 hours a day. They don't break unless you drop them on their edge from like 5ft up. What kind of poor fag are you that you don't have a PC with some sort of padding and why is it on a shelf that high up? Basically if you actually take care of your shit, then SAPIs are good to go and will last.
I'm sure you have so much more experience with your Banshee package you got from AR500 and have worn to the range 3 times.
>>27945684
>>27943165
>>27942650
>>27945702
What? I literally said that ESAPI can be had for the same price, or a little more than the absolute cheapest option (steel with Linex) if you keep an eye out for deals and have a little patience. How is that anything like your picture? Sorry you're stupid and blew your wad on a heavy, uncomfortable gimmick and are pissed that other people have nicer shit that you because they aren't retarded.
>>27942314
lbt, you can close this thread now
>>27945702
>dem delicious poorfag tears
>>27945684
I'd chock up "stops everything up to 7mm magnum at 100 yards" as fine as well, especially considering the price.
>>27945701
a fair point, but ESAPI just does not take the abuse that AR500 and similar steel plates do. Let's be honest. If some shit kicked off and some replacement plates are not immediately available, what are you going to pick? That being said, I've been in the same position of wearing body armor all day. Shit sucks, man. Though, switching from IBA's to IOTV's was the better choice for the army. That stomach strap made a huge difference, even if the entire vest weighed more. Not having it shift around on me made it a lot easier to wear the shit for extended periods.
>>27945830
User preference but I'm always going to recommend ceramic because it's better than steel. It's durable enough. Just don't beat the shit out of your gear. Damn things will take being dove on going prone. As far as multi hit, I figure if I'm in a situation where I can't get a replacement and I just got hit, I probably just got stitched up by something automatic and am fucked anyways.
Agreed about the IOTV. I could feel the weight balance better once I got the belly band tight.
>>27945871
They are durable enough, but fuck me if I didn't see enough FNGs drop their vests to the floor and hear one of those fuckers break when it lands just right on the corner or something. Personally, I like extended use out of my stuff. I'm pretty satisfied with AR500, overall. I need to get another vest though. I bought a Condor one way back when that refuses to fucking die already. I've been eyeballing that SKD pig rig for a while now and I need a reason to replace my current rig. My condor isn't terrible. Just want something with that strap. And maybe some side plate spots in case I decide I want them. Probably going to do a little testing of my own with a spare plate, as well. AR500 posts videos of all their testing but I kinda just want to have fun with it for myself. Test all kinds of stuff for the sake of doing so. I remember seeing MattV2200 (or whatever his username on youtube is) load his saiga with fucking .410 shells loaded with aluminum chopsticks. I bet if I did that with steel nails, I'd probably get some interesting results.
>>27945729
>lbt
this thread is reopend because lbt is deprecated garbage for airshit cosplayers.
>>27945926
Yeah, I may or may not have pulled the quick release cable on a particular assholes iotv while it was unattended so when he picked it up to put it on it came apart and the front portion landed right on the edge of the ESAPI.
I had a condor rig I wore when I played airsoft in high school that never died, and a friend who works as a security guard wears the one in OP with soft armor panels and he likes it. I didn't go too geardo on my work rig. It's just a slick First Spear STT with ESAPIs and 3a sides.
I want something like an iotv for shtf but I think I just have forgotten what a heavy sweat box it is.
>>27945930
LBT? Garbage?
>>27945930
> LBT
> Garbage
So trash, that the SEALs used it.
>>27942369
He already said Condor would be fine for cosplay. Just get Condor.
>>27942830
A. That's not an inexpensive carrier.
B. What the fuck is going on with that MOLLE stitching?
>>27945930
>LBT
>cosplayers
Yeah I was cosplaying being in Afghanistan when I was in Afghanistan.
>>27942314
What's the general consensus on mayflower carriers? I might be able to get one on sale soon.
>>27943185
Very well. Wore a plate carrier w/ FLC in Iraq for a year, zero outside, but you will have to initial play with it to get out to work well. Like how it sits when you have a full combat load may require you to adjust straps for a better fit.
Honestly, I'll only use a vest with a flc/chest rig now
>>27945930
You're just mad because you are too poor to afford anything reputable. LBT makes the best carrier in the market for the price. They are expensive msrp but I got mine new straight from LBT with a kydex mag insert for $300
>>27942314
What does /k/ think of warrior asault systems DCS plate carriers? It comes configured like this from uk tactical
>>27947352
Literally how?
>>27946922
underrated post
>>27943165
>>27943441
>>27943656
>>27944846
>>27945031
>>27945230
>>27945471
>>27945485
>>27945646
>>27945684
>>27945701
>>27945830
>>27945926
AR500 is good if you can't afford better, make sure to get some of the NIJ III+ rated plates that the manufacturer had tested against M193 ball as normal AR500 NIJ III plates will fail to stop it. Even the NIJ III+ AR500 plates will fail to stop the new M855A1 that the US army is adopting though, with most of them failing to stop it from a 16" barrel and AR500 Armor's NIJ III+ plates (not the lightweight ones) will fail to stop it from a 20" barrel but will stop it from a 16" barrel. It should be noted that poorfag ceramic plates will weigh just as or sometimes more than AR500 plates.
AR500's NIJ III plates failing to stop M855A1 from a 16" barrel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0gxeSpjdSk&spfreload=10
Armour Wear's AR680 NIJ III+ plates failing to stop M855A1 from a 16" barrel, this plate also failed to stop M193 at the same velocity that AR500's lightweight NIJ III+ plates fail to stop M193
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMSNc3lZsYE
Spartan Armor's NIJ III+ Armaply lightweight plates failing to stop M855A1 from a 20" barrel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlF0-HtYthw&feature=cards&annotation_id=1c866395-a54e-400a-b5cf-2cc5f3f51d43&src_vid=jET4I6oySsw
AR500's new NIJ III+ plates (not the lightweight version) stopping M855A1 from a 16" barrel and failing to do so from a 22" barrel (3259 FPS, from the 20" barrel in the video above it reaches 3251 FPS)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jET4I6oySsw&spfreload=10
>>27947097
Ha, that's bottom of the ladder for stuff that won't fall apart from use after 6 months. If you're just gonna use it to post selfies on fag book then yeah, I guess it's not inexpensive.
>>27948106
There's just no point in getting steel. For $20 more than 3+ armor you can get something that will perform better for the same weight.
https://armour-wear.com/shop/all/hard-plates/hard-plate-10-x-12-alum-level-4-stand-alone/
Compared to this that won't stop the most common caliber in America according to your own sources. You can also bet it won't stop any high velocity hunting rounds like .300 win mag.
http://www.bulletproofme.com/RP-Level-3-PLUS-Steel.html
>>27945518
tactical mcflury pouch for quick optimal nutrition while cooling the body
>>27948423
>Can only withstand 1 shot from 7.62 nato
This is why i don't trust my life to ceramic.
serious question here, as a non american with a gun license, what exactly is the application of having a plate carrier when you're not in the military or something?
>>27948486
Carrying stuff. Wearing armor.
>>27948472
Ceramic can take at least 3-4 shots from 7.62 NATO
>>27948494
yeah but how is it any different from airshitters
>>27948472
>1 shot from 7.62 APM2, 6 shots from 5.56 SS109 Green Tip, 5.56 M193, 7.62 M80 ball, 7.62 x 54R projectile
>1 shot from 7.62 APM2
>6 shots from 5.56 SS109 Green Tip, 5.56 M193, 7.62 M80 ball, 7.62 x 54R projectile
>6 shots7.62 M80 ball
If you're being shot in the chest more than 6 times, you're dead anyways. Whereas steel can be defeated on the first shot by the single most common caliber/projectile combo in the US.
>>27948521
Because not everyone plays airsoft with their stuff. Some people like carrying on their chest when they're out and about in the woods. I prefer web belt + suspenders personally, I live in a very flat area.
>>27948486
I wear it for work. If there's enough of a threat to wear armor, I'm going to wear the highest level of protection I can. I also use it to carry stuff for work. Like ammo and an IFAK
I've never understood why they make plates out of ceramic when you could just make plates out of thick ass steel. Yes, it will be a lot heavier, but I'd rather lug around extra weight then lay there lungshot, drowning in my own blood. Is lighter weight REALLY worth your life?
>>27948538
[citation needed]
>>27948556
Weight, weight, and weight.
>I'd rather lug around extra weight then lay there lungshot, drowning in my own blood. Is lighter weight REALLY worth your life?
You can answer this question very quickly by talking to any vet 11B's who were in trashcanistan.
>>27948563
Literally on the fucking description in the link I provided that you apparently quoted but mis read like a retard.
>>27948556
>Found the guy who never patrolled.
Firstly, ceramics work really well. As good or better than steel.
Secondly, people prefer already moving to plate carriers and away from full armor because of weight, even though removing all soft armor actually reduces protection. Weight an maneuverability is massively important for somebody to be able to function after wearing all their gear for hours or days.
>>27948553
>I wear it for work
that's why i wrote "military or something"
if you need it for work, like for law enforcement and shit it's understandable but otherwise it just really seems like airshitting for adults
>>27948544
meh
just doesn't make sense to me
fyi i served in the military, to me it just seems like a shit tonne of extra weight you don't have to carry
>>27942369
you again? I already told you condor blows and steel is worse than ceramics. If you can't afford $500 to put together a decent plate carrier and ceramic plates, just wear a chest rig.
>>27948423
>For $20 more
That's $35 more than the plates that will stop M855A1 from a 16" barrel ($45 if you want the ceramic plates to be multi curve), or 30% more (40% for the multi curve plates), or almost the cost of a decent slick carrier between the two plates.
http://www.ar500armor.com/ar500-armor-10-x-12-asc-level-iii-body-armor.html
>Compared to this that won't stop the most common caliber in America according to your own sources
Wut? It's only M855A1 that it fails to stop, which currently is extremely uncommon currently and you can expect to pay a few dollars a round for.
>You can also bet it won't stop any high velocity hunting rounds like .300 win mag.
Who cares? No one would use something in .300 Win Mag for normal fighting and anyone trying to take more precise shots from further away is going to see your plate carrier and simply shoot under it anyways instead of taking the chance that the round their using won't go through. No body armor will protect against someone who can take the time to aim around it due to the small amount of coverage it offers.
>>27948472
NIJ III rating requires 6 shots from 7.62 M80 ball, any of the pistol ratings below that require 5 shots from each of the listed cartridges, and for something to get an NIJ rating it must not only be able to stop shit at that level but also successfully stop all the threats at lower levels, it must also be able to stop those rounds while keeping backface deformation at a low enough level to not cause injury. If you made a magical plate that could safely stop 1 round of any type of ammo on earth but only 1 round, it wouldn't even be able to get an NIJ rating.
>>27948556
Because ceramics are more effective for the weight. XSAPI plates weigh about the same as AR500 steel plates and poorfag ceramics, yet will stop tungsten carbide core M993 7.62 NATO that can penetrate 17mm of HB400 steel and supposedly .50 BMG ball.
>>27942674
except you can shoot a rifle without a scope. A plate carrier without out plates is a floppy, shitty chest rig that provides zero protection.
>>27943656
lvl 3 ceramics can still take 6 hits of m855. if you're plan includes getting shot more than that, your plan sucks.
>>27945507
except not really. most militaries wear armor carriers instead of plate carriers, and that gets fucking expensive. sure IBAs are pretty cheap, but finding an iotv under $300 is tough.
>>27948601
>Plate stopping a .50 BMG
Jesus fuck that would feel incredible.
>~18,000 Joules deposited into your chest.
>>27945580
if you already have a chest rig, consider a slick. lbt, pig brigandine, both great slick carriers. slick+chest rig is very versatile and affordable.
but if you want a modular pc, they restocked banshee pcs for $170 on skdtac.
>>27948423
>You can also bet it won't stop any high velocity hunting rounds like .300 win mag.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTTC3Hni2zY&spfreload=10
>>27945507
(Mass issue) milsurp armor and plate carriers generally suck *and* are expensive. People will buy Eagle and LBT "milsurp" stuff though.
A surplus KDH plate carrier is $300-500 bucks. That's in the price range of actually getting a good plate carrier.
A surplus IOTV with soft armor is the same price as getting a CIRAS.
>>27948657
>.300 WM
>That quiet even when suppressed.
Uhhhhhhhh, they got the load data for that test round posted somewhere?
>>27945580
Beez combat systems. Specificiallly their discount section has a ranger green set for like 80-100.
>>27948601
What? The post I quoted has direct sources of 3+ armor not dropping 55gr M193 ball. That's the most common 5.56 loading in the US right now.
Look at the links I posted. It's $159 for a lvl 4 multi curve ceramic plate, $139 for the steel plate that won't stop M193 reliably.
>no one would use something in .300 win mag for normal fighting
I'm not talking about snipers when I say .300 win mag. Sure would be a shame if some random Bubba killed you with his hunting rifle because you skipped on buying good stuff. That's what the whole point of this is right? Shtf. Otherwise why would you be worried about not being able to get replacement plates?
>>27948657
>using hollow point rounds
>gun shot suspiciously quiet
Nah, they're full of shit m80
>>27946430
>seals
>anything but poster boys for navy recruitment
>>27948594
Alright faggot.
Where do I buy a good rig and ceramic plates for $500 at this moment?
>>27948683
>>27948719
From the description it was Federal Fusion 180gr .300 Winchester Magnum, seems to be on the lower end for .300 Win Mag:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/314761/federal-fusion-ammunition-300-winchester-magnum-180-grain-spitzer-boat-tail-box-of-20
>>27948715
>The post I quoted has direct sources of 3+ armor not dropping 55gr M193 ball.
That was one of the weaker III+ plates with the M193 being fired from a 22" barrel, which is longer than you'll generally encounter on anything that isn't bolt action (in which case the shooter would more than likely to take their time and just aim below your plates).
>$139 for the steel plate that won't stop M193 reliably.
...and the link I posted was for a $115 multi curve steel plate that will stop M855A1 from a 16" barrel and in general outperforms all other NIJ III+ steel plates (they'll even stop pulled M2 AP bullets fired from a .308 and 7.62 M61 AP ammo).
>I'm not talking about snipers when I say .300 win mag. Sure would be a shame if some random Bubba killed you with his hunting rifle because you skipped on buying good stuff
No halfway intelligent person is actually going to be fighting you directly with a damn bolt action rifle, especially not one in a caliber that generates a ton of recoil like .300 Win Mag. They're going to take potshots at you from further away and not risk giving away their position with a poorly placed shot.
>Shtf. Otherwise why would you be worried about not being able to get replacement plates?
I never said anything like that, the reason most people buy AR500 plates is because they are less expensive and will currently cover any threat you will normally face that isn't paying a few dollars per round.
>>27948825
>...and the link I posted was for a $115 multi curve steel plate that will stop M855A1 from a 16" barrel and in general outperforms all other NIJ III+ steel plates (they'll even stop pulled M2 AP bullets fired from a .308 and 7.62 M61 AP ammo).
Which link? You're not using a trip
>>27948825
>Federal Fusion 180gr
That's very good stuff for deer and other fleshy soft targets, but against armor it is a terrible choice.
Out of the muzzle it's about 3000 feet/second, yet that vid comes out almost hearing safe with that can.
Very fucking suspicious.
>>27948871
http://www.ar500armor.com/ar500-armor-10-x-12-asc-level-iii-body-armor.html
From the post the anon I responded to was responding to. Here's a video of it stopping the pulled M2 AP bullets loaded into a .308:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAHUnw3u6WE&spfreload=10
>>27948903
>yet that vid comes out almost hearing safe with that can.
Are you seriously talking about how loud suppressed guns are in videos? Protip: no videos of suppressed guns provide an actually accurate depiction of how loud they are due to recording equipment/software adjusting noises over a certain level, suppressed .22s are no where near as quiet as they are in Youtube videos (I've heard someone shooting a suppressed .22 rifle about 30+ yards from me with a 10' tall berm in between and it was still quite loud).
>>27948976
I'm well aware of the limits that most microphones capture on gun videos, but if the round is still supersonic (Which that round definitely would be, can or no can), then the microphone will usually pick up at least some amount of "pop", unless they deliberately cleaned up the audio after recording.
>>27949015
They're also shooting in an indoor range rather than outside, so it's quite possible that any supersonic crack would be mixed in with the muzzle blast instead of being more audible due the delay from how long it takes for sound to travel if one was shooting at a longer distance outside (just my guess after watching a couple videos of suppressed rifles being fired, there seems to be a bit of a delay before you hear the crack).
What are some good companies to get LVL 4 ceramic plates from? What do some of you guys who own/prefer them own?
