2019, Lightweight Plate Carrier Set Up

Wake27

Regular Member
I'm not sure that it works like that. Even if it did, I don't know of many places that'd be cool with 400+ plates coming in for x-rays. We had to turn ours in to CIF not long before I left so they could get re-inspected but the date on mine when I got it was at least 10 years old IIRC and it was from Kuwait so I didn't have a ton of faith.
 

Frosty_Bear

Regular Member
Oh lord no, I was just referring to the platoon. ~36-40 people isn't too bad. That's around minutes I would think.
 

chasnojm

Regular Member
CIF already X-Rays them.

Hey for the sake of this discussion, I'd keep it to gear. We are getting way off in the weeds of being a platoon commander, and frankly, I hope you are putting this much and more into developing subordinates & their ability to problem solve/make decisions. Gear shouldn't be an after thought, but I prioritize is much lower as it doesn't take cosmic brainpower dedicated to set it up right.
 

Wake27

Regular Member
CIF already X-Rays them.

Hey for the sake of this discussion, I'd keep it to gear. We are getting way off in the weeds of being a platoon commander, and frankly, I hope you are putting this much and more into developing subordinates & their ability to problem solve/make decisions. Gear shouldn't be an after thought, but I prioritize is much lower as it doesn't take cosmic brainpower dedicated to set it up right.

It was two points out of at least 20, but sure. And you’re saying that CIF x-rays every set of plates before issuing?


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chasnojm

Regular Member
Yes. They Xray the plates as they are rotated in from use. They won't issue out a pair of plates that just came off rotation, regardless of MOS. You also should confirm there aren't cracks by conducting the inspection periodically. Basically feeling around the edges for issues and grasping opposite corners and applying tension in a shearing method to expose any hairline cracks. That's straight from the overpaid employee's mouth.
 

Wake27

Regular Member
Yes. They Xray the plates as they are rotated in from use. They won't issue out a pair of plates that just came off rotation, regardless of MOS. You also should confirm there aren't cracks by conducting the inspection periodically. Basically feeling around the edges for issues and grasping opposite corners and applying tension in a shearing method to expose any hairline cracks. That's straight from the overpaid employee's mouth.

I don’t doubt that they told you that, but I highly doubt that is the case. Our entire division went through a massive process to get ours scanned which involved one for one swaps. I didn’t hear anything definitive, but definitely got the idea that it was not a capability that every CIF has. From what I’ve seen, they just do the physical inspection that you’re talking about. Maybe it’s not BS, but I’d be surprised. Either way, I think it’s still reasonable to say that plates can be pretty low on the list but never hurt to have your own.


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chasnojm

Regular Member
I don’t doubt that they told you that, but I highly doubt that is the case. Our entire division went through a massive process to get ours scanned which involved one for one swaps. I didn’t hear anything definitive, but definitely got the idea that it was not a capability that every CIF has. From what I’ve seen, they just do the physical inspection that you’re talking about. Maybe it’s not BS, but I’d be surprised. Either way, I think it’s still reasonable to say that plates can be pretty low on the list but never hurt to have your own.
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My evidence is only limited to my own observation. The case from which my plates were issued was a sealed/inspected case while my old plates when into a separate container.

I was also told by a few people mil and GS/Civ that they did Xray new plates.

https://www.army.mil/article/110441..._ballistic_plates_safe_for_deploying_soldiers
 

Frosty_Bear

Regular Member
Resposting with suggested changes. Wanting to get the conversation back towards the gear as @chasnojm

Are there any good threads on radios? Explaining different models and companies, how and what works and why.


Plate Carrier Set Up​

$1,427 to $1,469
before Plates & Radio Pouch​

Projected 25 lbs. in total for PC set up​



References:




Carrier $400

Scarab DLX

https://www.velsyst.com/scarab-dlx.html

$400

Other Carriers like the JPC 1 & 2 and the Standhogg from First Spear were discussed. I, so far, have decided to stick with the Scarab DLX for the weight savings primarily. All of them, from what I can find, just as durable as each other. The First Spear has great cummerbunds, but I’m replacing them with the Arbor Arms system anyways, so it became mute.



Armor $235 + plates

Looking at multiple plates from AT, Shotstop, Velocity systems and more. No decision atm.


https://store.atarmor.com/default.asp

https://www.shotstop.net/rifle-plates



https://arborarmsusa.com/product/frc-kit-rs-tubes-2/

$235
Faster replacement cummerbund. Specifically, the cummerbunds with First Spear Tubes. These may not be as strong as the Cobra Buckles, but they’re almost as fast, have less dead space for cummerbund mounted items to be closer to the front.





Magazines $63 to $105

Esstac 5.56 Kywi single shorty for front, right side and low.

https://www.esstac.com/product-page/5-56-single-kywi-shorty

$23

OR

Esstac 5.56 Kywi triple shorty for front and center
https://www.esstac.com/product-page/5-56-triple-kywi-tall-shorty
$65

Depends on freedom of SOP with unit/whether this is a work or personal rig and the chance of severe firefight(battle of Wanat, FOB not fully set up)



Blue Alpha Gear low profile double for right side, towards front.
https://www.blueforcegear.com/ten-speed-double-m4-mag-pouch.html

$40





Medical $410
titan tactical Front and low
http://ethostactical.com/product/elastic-tourniquet-holder/

$17



Contained kit bag with fabric scissors back, to the right and low to be clear of the rifle sling.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...RNJLW&linkId=c9c0759754529eabe3899ebc3c83764a

$65 with extra + $12 for NAR Gauze


NAR Shear Scissors

https://www.amazon.com/North-Americ...ue+sc,sporting,194&sr=1-7-catcorr-spons&psc=1

$15


CAT Tourniquet Front, left and right

https://www.amazon.com/North-Americ...industrial&sprefix=nar+,industrial,152&sr=1-2

$148, buy 4

TQ Holster Front, left and right
https://www.amazon.com/NAR-C-A-T-To...Y76JN2GAXT1J&refRID=3PTQ37QSY76JN2GAXT1J&th=1
$75, buy 3



CAT Holster

https://www.narescue.com/c-a-t-holder

$78, buy 4(this is also for war belt and other kits)



Storage $319 + Radio Pouch


AWS Yote bag for storage of anything necessary.

https://www.awsin.com/proddetail.asp?prod=50657

$183


Spiritus Systems Recovery/Drag Handle developed with DARCI

https://www.spiritussystems.com/recovery-handle/

$65

This will simulate the Sprint, Drag, Carry from the Army rn.



Ferro Concepts push to talk retainer Everywhere

https://ferroconcepts.com/collections/hardware/products/ptt-retainer?variant=22545814020

$15


Admin Pouch, Front, on the top.

https://www.blueforcegear.com/admin-pouch.html

$56


Radio Pouch for future radio. Placed on left side, in the front.

https://arborarmsusa.com/product-category/comms/mrp-accessories/
Less than $20
 

BooneGA

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
WARLORD
What kind of radio are you looking for? You either have the issued PRC-148 (MBITR) or PRC-152 (Harris) or airsoft knock offs - but who are you trying to talk to? I didnt watch the first video but you can see the way that radio hangs out in that pouch it is going to flop around like crazy - your radio pouch should go inside the cummerbund if worn up front. Id look elsewhere for advice on equipment set up than instgram stars. The crye pouches are cheap and if you add a simple kydex liner you can insert/remove the radio extremely easily. Depending on your AO/assignment that will be necessary for a PL more than you would think.

Rick
 

user12358

Regular Member
I didnt watch the first video but you can see the way that radio hangs out in that pouch it is going to flop around like crazy - your radio pouch should go inside the cummerbund if worn up front. Id look elsewhere for advice on equipment set up than instgram stars. The crye pouches are cheap and if you add a simple kydex liner you can insert/remove the radio extremely easily.

I'm pretty sure that is the Crye 152 pouch with the top flap not flipped over in the video. That being said I totally agree on wearing the pouch inside the cummerbund, preferably on a wing from the front plate, not MOLLE.
 

user12358

Regular Member
That I do. As did the rest of the team.

Rick

I'm tracking now. Is there a different Kydex insert and do you need to lengthen the retaining strap when using or is it just plug and play? Also are you using a velcro cummerbund attachment method on the side you have the radio or some form of quick attach?
 

BooneGA

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
WARLORD
I'm tracking now. Is there a different Kydex insert and do you need to lengthen the retaining strap when using or is it just plug and play? Also are you using a velcro cummerbund attachment method on the side you have the radio or some form of quick attach?

I didn't use the retaining strap at all. Never had an issue with the radio moving around as the pressure from the cummerbund kept it secure.

We had some guys custom make kydex inserts and others just cut up pieces of plastic. The whole idea was to keep the mouth of the pouch open so you could slide the radio in and out. Picked up the concept from our CCT.

I have never used anything but a velcro flap attachment. That said, I did run "the lazy way" and just attach the left side cummerbund straight to the front of the carrier and not under the flap for most routine environments.

Rick
 

Wake27

Regular Member
Buying a carrier like the Scarab DLX for its "weight savings," then adding a bunch of additional pouches, is self-defeating.

If "anything necessary" is not immediately defined, something the size of the AWS yote bag will quickly become filled with everything unnecessary. The Haley Strategic Flatpack or the Crye pack backpanel provides a scalable solution for carrying water or cold/wet layers without the bulk of something like a yote.

I don’t really agree with either of these. It’s pretty impractical for a PL to have nothing other than a slick PC with a triple mag shingle. Knowing that you’re going to have to add extra shit, it makes sense to go with the lightest PC that’ll still support a full load.

And while I wouldn’t want the bulk of a full bag like the Yote pack, just because you have the extra space doesn’t mean you have to use it. Sure a lot of PFCs will, but all it takes is a little practice and actual thought to prevent filling it up with extra shit.


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chasnojm

Regular Member
First, are we scrapping the 1 Rig idea? I highly suggest getting a Spiritus Overt/JPC etc for personal training time and utilizing issued gear for work.

Second: For radios, (I am going to assume PRC152s), the cummerbund pouches work fine, the only thing I like about the external molle pouch (like the BFG 152/148) is that the radio can be placed screen side in and it allows the radio to off-gas/cool down better than being trapped between the body and the cummerbund. This is more important when you have a full molle c-bun holding side sapis etc. Those become thick and trap heat. If you are using an elastic type C-bun then the "wings" work fine as its not as much of a heat-sink.

Don't worry about a yote for a 117F/G or 150, you'll have an issued assault pack. The Yote isn't really big enough to carry a SL-3 complete PRC150 AND other sustainment items. Generally speaking, if you are carrying the radio, you are probably infantry and gonna need more room for other shit. Infantry moves on its feet from LZ/insert/LD --> ORP/ASLT//OBJ
 

Frosty_Bear

Regular Member
@BooneGA I don't really know. My only experience is with Asip radios. I want to gain knowledge on different systems, their purposes, how to use them and what makes them work better/worse.

Running it inside the cummerbund and with a kydex or plastic cut out sounds pretty useful. Were you using a push to talk with this or is that why you needed to take it out all the time?
 

Frosty_Bear

Regular Member
@TerminalEffect
I understand your concerns on cost and the size of the bag. With the career starter loan from USAA and my college completely paid for(slightly in the black actually), I don't mind spending more money on what I will live and work in.
With the bag, I'm usually the person with the lightest, smallest ruck in any unit I work with. What I mean by that is that I'm very capable of compartmentalizing and only bringing what I need. I've never needed something in the field that I didn't own/was issued. I game my set up pretty hard. To be "high speed", I just reduce my drag. Literally. Which is why I would like a bag with a divisor if possible incase I'm really carrying only a little and for when I need to carry more. A pack that gives me options is the goal.
 

Frosty_Bear

Regular Member
@chasnojm
1. No, the main difference I have between a work vs. a personal set up is the number of magazines. That's only a $40 difference with a triple up front vs. a single magazine pouch.

2. Heat of the Radio is a good point. Like I said above, I don't have a lot of experience with them. SO, definitely open to hearing about this. Heat of the electronics didn't even occur to me despite knowing a lot about computer specs and temperature management. So, I'm interested to see where that part about radio heat goes. I don't have any authority on the subject.

3. I like the issued assault pack and I don't. It doesn't have enough compartmentalization for me to be satisfied, but for the size and a large opening...it's good enough, especially if you added some better shoulder padding.
 
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