Page 39 - Airsoft Action Issue 126 June 2021

K I T & G E A R
KIT & GEAR
T
A
E
P PLATE CARRIERS
L
IERS
C
R
A
R
up to the rigours of
your local airsoft field!
The fabrics used look
and feel to be tough
nylon mixes and seem
solid enough, and the
stitching is actually
far, far better than I
thought it would be; some
attention has been given to
this area, with reinforcement
in all the right places.
The “Low Profile Plate
Carriers” all have a front and
rear plate panel pocket (hard plastic
“plates” are included but you might
want to upgrade these to something
like those sold by J-TAC Custom) with loads
of MOLLE, good shoulder padding, an elastic
cummerbund for a great fit and a fast-clip/velcro
front panel for quick changes of your kit to save
time. These clips and the large velcro panels are
compatible with all pouch panels and chest rigs -
and herein lies the clever bit!
Say you want to set up your plate carrier for
general “recon”, well simply attach a “Recon”
panel to the velcro and buckle it in place. Running
hot and heavy CQB? No problem, just add the
multi-mission panel and you’re all set with rifle/
carbine mag pouches, pistol mag pouches and
even some elastic loops for cyalumes and bangs!
Rocking an AK? Again, no issue as there’s even
panels specifically for this and panels cost as little
as UK£6 a pop for the Triple AK version…
Bottom line is that if you want one piece of tactical plate carrier and think on them as either elitists or
gear that will let you carry everything you need “in that they have more money than sense, the fact is
game”, from magazines to comms, from BBs to that they’ve made a choice to run a loadout that is as
hydration systems, then the not-so-humble PC is effective and efficient as it is cool looking! Sure, it’s
actually worth a darn close look… not going to be right for every single environment or
Do I own and use a PC myself? Yes, I do, I have scenario you might encounter but a decent Plate
several from an old OSPREY MKII in DDPM, through Carrier is going to tick an awful lot of boxes when
a number of Warrior Assault Systems DCS rigs, right it comes to carrying and accessing all your “shooty
up to a relatively new low-profile Direct Action Spitfire gear”.
and I use an old out-of-ballistic-date SAPI in the So, Plate Carriers? What are they good for?
front of them all to offset the weight of the big old When bought at a sensible price they’re good for
hydration bladder on the rear. an awful lot! AA
Whilst you may look at players wearing a fancy

“...“CIVVY” VERSIONS ARE PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES OF DESIGN, EVEN BEING CREATED TO
CARRY MOCK, WEIGHTED “PLATES” FOR EXERCISE PURPOSES. I ACTUALLY CAME ACROSS A
GUY WEARING A 5.11 TACTEC THE OTHER DAY WHEN I WAS OUT WITH THE HOUND, RUNNING
HAPPILY WEARING IT!”

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