View Full Version : Quick look at Mayflower R&C "Low Profile Assault Carrier"
I'm not a door kicking action figure - just "regular earth people", so my use for this is partly just to play "dress-up" and partly to keep from coming home from classes with any extra holes. This rig may not work for different people with different uses, but for guys like me, and probably most law enforcement officers, this thing looks like it would be pretty hard to beat.
This is what the vest looked like when it came from Grey Group Training. After my previous experience with an Eagle plate carrier with cummerbund, I was amazed at how tiny this thing looked in the bottom of the box! 500D nylon, no padding anywhere.
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll285/sre-inc/Folded.jpg
Nice!
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll285/sre-inc/Front.jpg
Here it is all spread out. Note the pockets on the cummerbund for side SAPI's.
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll285/sre-inc/Overall.jpg
Front flap. I like like the way the molle webbing is stitched all the way through the velcro.
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll285/sre-inc/FrontFlap.jpg
Insert "concealment cut" soft armor here.
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll285/sre-inc/SoftInsert.jpg
Hard plates are inserted from the outside and the little flap wraps under the bottom of the plate and secures with velcro.
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll285/sre-inc/HardInsert.jpg
Pull up the rear flap to access the velcro'd down cummerbund adjustment. Elastic is doubled up, and looks pretty sturdy.
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll285/sre-inc/BackAdjust.jpg
For the most part, the stitching looks pretty solid. The plate pockets are double stitched, all the stress points, corners, etc have extra stitching. The only potential weakness I see is that the main compartments that hold the soft armor only have a single line of stitching around them. - Edit: I was advised by a poster at Lightfighter that this thing is "...double stitched the whole way around. Where it folds on the edges it is stitched inside out with a 3/8" seam allowance then turned right way out and top stitched. The fact that the stitching is slightly offset and not right on the edge is a very good thing, it gives a 1/8" spacing between stitch rows and carries the weight better... What you see on the inside is the top stitch... the only way you will see the first internal stitch is to unpick the top stitching and you don't want to do that."
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll285/sre-inc/Stitching.jpg
All in all I would have to say that this vest gives you everything you NEED and nothing extraneous that you don't need. Plus it's pretty hard to beat the $50 discount that Grey Group is offering M4C members on this vest!
calicojack
07-19-09, 14:31
.......
It's webbing. Can you cite your source please??
is that the m/c laminated webbing? or is it folded cordura? i read some where that the m/c webbing degrades kinda quickly. looking for clarification on that rumor.
I don't know about the webbing itself "degrading", but the camo pattern looks almost like it's "painted" on the surface of the webbing. The back of each strap is almost white. I could see a possibility of the surface coloring (the camo pattern) wearing off if you're rubbing up against stuff, rolling around on the ground, etc.
Time will tell.
I'll ask Ashley and Stephen at Blue Force Gear. Those guys have been using the Multicam webbing longer than most and slings take a ton of abuse.
calicojack
07-19-09, 15:40
........
calicojack
07-19-09, 15:49
.......
Iraq Ninja
07-19-09, 17:22
Don't worry about the MC webbing.
I have been using a Blue Force Gear med pouch on my work vest for about six months now with very little wear to the webbing. Their ten speed pouch has been holding up very well too, much to my surprise...
Shoulder straps are not padded.
I. Ninja,
How do you like the 10 speed?
TIA
NCPatrolAR
07-20-09, 09:54
I'm currently running two pieces of Mayflower gear, a 7.62 pouch on a Paraclete HPC and an Active shooter rig. Both items are great in terms of construction and weight savings. I've been eyeing one of their armor carriers since I heard they take concealment cut armor.
Nice piece of kit you got there!
What brand of soft armor are you carrying in it? I'm curious because I'd like to know if it'll fit a Safariland, Galls, Point Blank, etc... type armor in it.
Nice piece of kit you got there!
What brand of soft armor are you carrying in it? I'm curious because I'd like to know if it'll fit a Safariland, Galls, Point Blank, etc... type armor in it.
The carrier is built for concealment cut vests, so it should work.
I'm running Armorshield panels in mine and they fit great.
NSR500,
Supposedly it's made for Paraclete "concealment cut" armor panels, but I would imagine it will fit a lot of other concealment panels. Might have to be a trial and error deal, though.
NCPatrolAR
07-21-09, 15:20
Different companies cut their armor to different dimensions. When I was at Grey Group looking at the slick version of this carrier, my soft armor inserts (Safariland) were one size for height, but a larger size in width. I would suggest talking to whoever you are going to order the carrier from, give them the dimensions of the armor you are going to use, and make sure it will fit.
It wasn't made for Paraclete concealment armor, it just works pretty damn well. It was actually for a NATO cut.
NSR500,
Supposedly it's made for Paraclete "concealment cut" armor panels, but I would imagine it will fit a lot of other concealment panels. Might have to be a trial and error deal, though.
It wasn't made for Paraclete concealment armor, it just works pretty damn well.
I'll Say!
My Paraclete armor fits my Mayflower rig better than it did my Paraclete carrier! :eek:
Iraq Ninja
07-21-09, 18:09
I. Ninja,
How do you like the 10 speed?
TIA
So far so good. I use it across three shingles on the front of my vest. The center sleeve is used to keep a medical bandage handy, and the other two are for admin functions, like storing my mags at the clearing barrel, holding flash lights, etc.
If I need to carry more mags, it allows me to quickly do so.
I am thinking about going to a lightweight plate carrier and I would not mind using the 10 Speed pouch to hold all my mags. We work out of vehicles in mostly urban environments.
The pouch has not shown any wear. The elastic is still good, although it takes time for it to return totally flat after removing a mag, etc.
For the LE crowd, we just submitted an order for black, and ranger green soon to follow.
Kentucky Cop
08-17-09, 20:03
Josh,
I am sorry for a newb question but here I go. I wear a second chance IIIA top of the line soft armor under my uniform at work. Can I pull the panels out of its carrier and place them into the Mayflower vest?
Thanks for your help! This vest seems to be 'it' for LE.;)
KY Cop
NCPatrolAR
08-17-09, 23:21
Josh,
I am sorry for a newb question but here I go. I wear a second chance IIIA top of the line soft armor under my uniform at work. Can I pull the panels out of its carrier and place them into the Mayflower vest?
Thanks for your help! This vest seems to be 'it' for LE.;)
KY Cop
It should. I pulled some Safariland panels and they fit the low-pro carrier just fine. In order to get the right size, I'd call Matt and the guys in the shop with the dimensions of your panels.
http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=35327
If they look like this you should be good to go.
Posted 26 August 2009 20:29 Hide Post
Just so that nobody get surprised...
I purchased the carrier I posted pictures of on page 1 of this thread. It is sized medium. I didn't do my research and assumed that the plate pocket was sized to take the typical 10.5"x12.5" plates that are pretty common.
The pockets are sized to match the SAPI armor in the size to match the carrier. So if you order a medium carrier, it will fit medium concealment inserts and size medium SAPI plates.
I do not know if the information is correct or not, but wikipedia lists the sizes of the plates as:
* Extra Small - 1.27kg (2.8lb) | .184 x .292 m (7.25 x 11.5 in)
* Small - 1.59kg (3.5lb) | .222 x .298 m (8.75 x 11.75 in)
* Medium - 1.82kg (4.0lb) | .241 x .318 m (9.5 x 12.5 in)
* Large - 2.09kg (4.6lb) | .260 x .337 m (10.12 x 13.25 in)
* Extra Large 2.40kg (5.3lb) | .280 x .356 m (11 x 14 in)
Since my carrier is a medium it is sized to take the 9.5" x 12.5" plates. Last night we tried plates from several makers, and all were too large.
I do NOT see this as an issue with the vest or the design, and I am NOT complaining about the product. I just want to make sure that potential buyers are aware of how the product is made and sized so that you can check to make sure beforehand if the carrier will work with plates you either already have or are planning on buying.
Just for clarification, I said it was designed to carry SAPI "cut" plates. In reality it could have been designed to carry a type of plate that is close in shape, but not necessarily SAPI plates. I would also like to confirm that the rest of the sizing mates up (i.e. large carrier fits large plate, etc.).
I'm currently running plates I wouldn't consider traditional SAPI plates and they fit fine. Let me take some measurements and post my results.
I did double check with Panzer over on LF before posting.
I'll also hopefully get some pics this weekend of two of the plates that we tried to fit and where they get stuck.
This is what I'm trying to achieve. This is a mockup as the buckles on the Mini-MAV need modification to get them to work.
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q111/rob_s/gun%20stuff/Mayflowerminimav.jpg
Tactical Tailor Mini-MAV with buckles changed out. I had to reverse the top-front buckles, and the original attachment of the buckles on the 45* sides were not buckles. I bought some split buckles which got me the female ends, but I had to use bolt cutters to put slots in the male ends to attach them without sewing. I like this solution anyway since it means I can remove the buckles from the 45* sides if I want to. I also wanted to have a different buckle on the top than on the 45*s so that there would be no confusion as to how to reinstall the shoulder straps.
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q111/rob_s/website/mayflower%20carrier/TTMINI-MAVMOD.jpg
The Mini-MAV had female buckles at the top and the Mayflower had female buckles at this location as well. Since the Mayflower buckles are removable already I was tempted to just change them out to male ends but I decided to go ahead and mod the MAV instead.
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q111/rob_s/website/mayflower%20carrier/BUCKLES.jpg
The Mini-MAV attached to the vest. I want to come up with a QD method of lengthening the waist strap. I may try to fasten in a buckle or something. It needs two settings, one for use with the armor and one for use without. I may use the type of adjuster you find on the VTAC sling instead, but then I'd want a way to secure the free end. I think that having an easy, captured, way to have to fixed points for settings would be best, with some adjustment still left available for layers of clothing etc. That will take some more ingenuity, or stealing of ideas from somewhere else.
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q111/rob_s/website/mayflower%20carrier/VESTMINI-MAV.jpg
The one shortcoming of the Mini-MAV solution is that I think it's about one column too short in each direction, or two overall. What I want to have on this rig, as pictured above in an earlier post, is a Blue Force Gear Trauma Kit NOW! and two FB magazine pouches. Right now the far left FB isn't totally secure as the 45* cut means I had to skip one row in attaching the FB. Also, having an extra row on the other end should mean I could attach a light in addition to the Leatherman I'm already going to add. On the support side it would allow room for someone to add a pistol magazine if they wanted to. I've taken to doing all my pistol from the belt, but even I might add a pistol mag if the space was there.
This rig would allow me to make holes (ammo), patch holes (TKN), and prevent holes (armor). Pretty much everything you need IMHO for my use in a relatively light and compact package.
now if I could just find some plates that fit the carrier as well as my budget and weight requirements...
NCPatrolAR
10-31-09, 16:51
Before Mayflower introduced their all MOLLE chest rig, I had thought about retro-fitting an Eagle all MOLLE rig to do the same thing Rob is trying with the mini-mav. I never went through with it because it looks like the rig will sit way too low for my liking. I'm probably just going to go with one of the carriers that has webbing already installed.
Eventually I'll get pictures with this thing on, with my CCW rig as well to give an idea of where it rides.
I wish Mayflower had used 1.5" webbing for the repair buckles instead of 1", that way One could use 1", 1.5" or 2" buckles easier and connect a larger variety of chest rigs
I wish Mayflower had used 1.5" webbing for the repair buckles instead of 1", that way One could use 1", 1.5" or 2" buckles easier and connect a larger variety of chest rigs
I thought that too at first as I wanted to just attach my Eagle M4/FB chest rig, but I'm liking this setup much more. I'm going to see if I can cobble together an H-harness for the MAV. Like I said above, just one column more in each direction and it would be perfect.
FWIW, it is possible to attach three single-pouch shingles across the front, and still have one short column on each side to attach a pistol mag, light, leatherman, or some combination thereof. If you go with something like this (http://usgruntgear.com/2ndgeopm1mos1.html), you can even just have your pistol mags on the front.
calicojack
10-31-09, 19:48
.......
Rob
Look forward to reading about what H-Harness works for you:)
GreyGroupAdam
11-02-09, 10:57
Kentucky Cop; Hey dude. If you want to PM me with all your sizing info I can start the process on getting you squared away.
Kentucky Cop
11-02-09, 12:36
Kentucky Cop; Hey dude. If you want to PM me with all your sizing info I can start the process on getting you squared away.
I appreciate that Adam! I am attempting to locate some funds as we speak. Its been one of those months with bills. Thank you again and hopefully I will be hitting you up soon.
:mad:
Thanks, Ky Cop
GreyGroupAdam
11-02-09, 12:42
Kentucky Cop;
I understand that dude and when you decide the time is right just let me know and I'll get you squared away!
Got my in RG from Greygroup today (of course it had to go on sale there 1 day after my order...)
Size Large, fits front panel of my PPI medium sized viphan soft armor perfectly, the rear carrier leaves have some space left over.
I really like how light the carrier is.
I'm running medium sapi plates and it seems the pocket is just enough for medium plates.
Earlier I thought the size of the carrier corresponded to SAPI sizing, but it looks like large will not fit in there.
The tactical tailor MAP will fit (albeit the buckles don't line up exact), as there are enough webbing on the male buckles to conform to the carrier nicely.
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j256/zchen5/IMG_2597copy.jpg
I can change the MAP to a chest rig by using a ATS H-Harness and some repair buckles.
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j256/zchen5/IMG_2598.jpg
The TT MAP bib on the other hand...will not fit good even if I switch out the 1" buckles for 1.5" ones due to the way the male bucks are attached on the bib. but I have some work around in mind already...
(I use some webbings and buckles to make the TT MAP bib into a micro chest-rig).
and success~
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j256/zchen5/IMG_2600.jpg
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j256/zchen5/IMG_2601.jpg
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j256/zchen5/IMG_2602.jpg
I was inspired by Chris at downrange gear's chest-rig armor inter face kit
http://www.downrangegear.com/Chest_Rig_Armor_Interface_Kit_3.html
and success~
I would consider that more of "epic fail" than success. ;)
Examples of success might include the below evolution from Tactical Tailor Mini-MAV with buckles reversed and pouches of my choosing to hard stitched custom rig from US Grunt Gear (http://www.usgruntgear.com/). USGG now makes an all MOLLE panel (http://www.usgruntgear.com/rrrarelichri.html) that is lightly padded and one column wider than the Mini-MAV in both directions so that you can custom configure it for yourself. Be sure to specify male buckle ends at the top and tell him it's for use with the Mayflower armor carrier.
Blank Mini-MAV with buckles cut off and reversed, attached to armor
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q111/rob_s/website/chest%20rig%20prototype/VESTMINI-MAV-1.jpg
Standalone Mini-MAV with pouches of my choosing and straps attached
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q111/rob_s/website/chest%20rig%20prototype/CHESTRIGMOCKUP-1.jpg
US Grunt Gear custom hard-stitched rig
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q111/rob_s/website/chest%20rig%20prototype/USGrunt01.jpg
US Grunt Gear custom rig attached to armor
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q111/rob_s/website/chest%20rig%20prototype/USGrunt02.jpg
Perfect spacing of buckles, negating the need for shock cord attachment :p
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q111/rob_s/website/chest%20rig%20prototype/USGrunt03.jpg
:o:o:o
The original intention when I bought the TT MAP at 20% off was to integrate it to my molle belt+X-harness setup when the need arise. (plus making 2 chest rigs using map and the map bib). Alas the shock cord arrangement will do for now for connecting to the Mayflower LPC. I'll admit it looks a bit bush league but it's stable and holding up.
Thanks for the heads up on the USGG rig though , I shall look into it when finances are bit better.
Admirable and ingenious as some of this work is, I can't help thinking it's a bit like figuring out the best way to pound a square peg into round hole.
The molle covered carrier I started this thread with is probably going to be as concealable as the slick vest and all you have to do is add/subtract the pouches as the mission demands. I haven't used the slick vest, but with the external plate pockets and the straps for attaching fastex buckles, I'm guessing it's really not going to conceal any better than the molle version.
But then again, YMMV...
You're missing the point of the slick, and missing some of the downsides of the MOLLE.
The MOLLE carrier is not as easy to put on because of the bib over the side straps. Those side straps, being MOLLE covered and rather large, are also going to impact conceal-ability. And while attaching pouches directly to the vest may be what some people want, it doesn't fit my needs at all.
The slick carrier plus chest rig allows you to EASILY and RAPIDLY meet many different mission requirements in one product.
1) soft (TRUE) concealable armor worn under a regular shirt
2) soft plus hard (somewhat) concealable armor worn under an up-sized or patterned shirt
3) soft plus hard armor worn over the shirt
4) soft plus hard armor plus load carriage worn over the shirt
5) standalone load carriage for use without the armor
The MOLLE system could potentially achieve all of these but IMHO wouldn't be nearly as quick to change mission profiles and would not be as concealable.
Both are good pieces of gear, but the MOLLE doesn't do what the slick does.
I also don't think that any of the steps I've taken are out of the realm of the easily achieved. I bought a $25 chest rig and cut the buckles off and re-attached them with zero stitching. All I used was bolt cutters. Subsequently I bought a hard-stitched solution that required me to make two visits to the manufacturer; one to order and one to pick up. And now the hard work is done, anyone that wants to can simply call up USGG and ask for a "rob rig" or have him custom make them a rig to the same size and spacing but with the pouches or attachment system of their choosing.
Here's a rig that USGG made for all 9mm SMG magazines (http://www.usgruntgear.com/subgunco9mm6.html). Would mate right up to the Mayflower slick carrier if the user needed it simply by asking USGG to flip the buckles on the top.
I think the MOLLE carrier is a great solution for those wanting a dedicated outer armor system with direct MOLLE attach pouches, but I don't see it as a viable alternative for my needs at all.
vicious_cb
12-09-09, 23:16
Why not just use the Mayflower UW molle QD chest rig which is designed for use on the lo-pro carrier?
http://stores.greygrouptraining.com/-strse-3325/UW-Chest-Rig%2C-QD/Detail.bok#
Why not just use the Mayflower UW molle QD chest rig which is designed for use on the lo-pro carrier?
http://stores.greygrouptraining.com/-strse-3325/UW-Chest-Rig%2C-QD/Detail.bok#
Several reasons.
The first is that the molle rig alone is $120. I paid significantly less than that for a rig with two mag pouches, a TKN pouch, and a light/mag/tool pouch. Add two $25 AR mag pouches and a $25 pistol mag pouch to the Mayflower base and you're up over $200 for a chest rig. While I have absolutely no doubts that the Mayflower rig is well made, I'm not after a $200 chest rig when a less-than-half version is available. Comparing apples:apples, the US Grunt Gear MOLLE platform (http://www.usgruntgear.com/rrrarelichri.html) is $60.
The second is that the Mayflower rig is bigger and has more real-estate than I need, therefore more than I want. The top horizontal edge extends well past the buckles while the USGG piece I have starts It's downward taper at that spot. I believe this makes for a more stable rig when attached to the armor, and makes for less crap on my chest when wearing the chest rig alone.
Now that I know about and have worked with US Grunt Gear, I'm not sure I'll ever buy "off the rack" or a MOLLE base layer ever again. He does quality work, he was easy for me to work with, and I'll take a custom solution over a bunch of extra weight and bulk of a MOLLE system every time. This only works, however, if you've been using the gear in question long enough to be really certain of what you want.
I rather modify my existing stuff to connect to the LPC without spending additional $120 if I can.
I redid my setup, as my previous effort of connecting the TT MAP and MAP bib to the LPC with the shock cord buckles was way over thinking on my part. Now both fit perfect and secure without dangling buckles on shock cord, now it is with less fail...:p
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j256/zchen5/IMG_2636.jpg
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j256/zchen5/IMG_2635.jpg
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j256/zchen5/IMG_2638.jpg
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j256/zchen5/IMG_2637.jpg
Klear Above
12-14-09, 15:58
The Mayflower Ranger Green is just damn sexy!
Some had asked me for photos of the chest rig and armor with the BFG SOC-C belt. Various angles below. You have to squint to see me from the side or you might miss me. :D
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q111/rob_s/website/chest%20rig%20prototype/Image00001.jpg
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q111/rob_s/website/chest%20rig%20prototype/Image00002.jpg
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q111/rob_s/website/chest%20rig%20prototype/Image00006.jpg
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q111/rob_s/website/chest%20rig%20prototype/Image00009.jpg
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q111/rob_s/website/chest%20rig%20prototype/Image00007.jpg
Looks like the backstrap on the chest rig ended up under the back panel of your vest. Is that according to plan, or circumstance?
Looks like the backstrap on the chest rig ended up under the back panel of your vest. Is that according to plan, or circumstance?
Initially I tried to run it over the armor and it kept falling down, so I cinched it up and ran it that way. No issues with it whatsoever.
vicious_cb
01-31-10, 05:49
What kind of soft armor are you running in the carrier? I looked on the gray group site but they didnt have the Mayflower concealment cut armor available. If its a non-mayflower concealment cut panel how does it fit inside the carrier?
Hopefully this writeup (http://docs.google.com/View?id=drnhb8z_88c26jvfc7) answers some questions about my setup
Hopefully this writeup (http://docs.google.com/View?id=drnhb8z_88c26jvfc7) answers some questions about my setup
Sorry to deviate off topic but what mag pouches are you running?
Sorry to deviate off topic but what mag pouches are you running?
read the whole thing. They're hard-stitched integral to the chest rig. ;)
Oops I meant the black ones on your belt.
Thanks for the write-up!
Is anyone using the optional shoulder pads? Do they help while wearing hard armor and/or are they worth the additional cost?
I'm also debating between the BAE plates and the Velocity Systems plates on SKD. Seems like the BAE, which are stand alone, are quite a bit thicker which would hamper movement. Anybody have experience with either or both?
Now I just need to decide between brown or green Mayflower...
Irish,
RE: Shouler pads
I'll say yes..well worth it. I went from a Paraclete RAV to this. I did not have the pads at first and my shoulders felt it. With the pads, no discomfort.
rob_s- Do you have Plates in the carrier? It does not look that way from the pics. Just wondering. Thanks
Iraq Ninja
08-06-11, 02:34
Interesting that this thread was resurrected, since I had my rear plate fall out of my Mayflower Low Pro carrier this morning and bounce off the floor. The velcro flap worked itself free somehow. :(
FYI it was not a SAPI, but a triple curve.
rob_s- Do you have Plates in the carrier? It does not look that way from the pics. Just wondering. Thanks
No plates.
I started down the path of getting an armor setup for a few specific reasons, most of which became insignificant before I settled on a set of plates I liked. I'm now back in the market again as some of those reasons have come back around again.
Also, and this is probably a bit of a cautionary tale for some doing their shopping, in the absence of EXACTLY what I wanted I chose nothing instead. I have/had that luxury so it's not the end of the world but for those with a more pressing need beware the rabbit hole!
Is anyone using the optional shoulder pads? Do they help while wearing hard armor and/or are they worth the additional cost?
Irish,
No. Don't waste money on shoulder pads. I have been wearing this vest daily for three months with no use for them.
BTW, I sent you those pics man.
Here are some pics I had sent Irish to help him decide on this setup:
These plates are the shit:
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o309/laninga66/MayflowerVest012.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o309/laninga66/MayflowerLPAC007a.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o309/laninga66/MayflowerLPAC005a.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o309/laninga66/MayflowerLPAC006a.jpg
Dave L.
Good set up. I like it, nice and light and easy to use in a truck......but all of your mags are on the wrong side....:jester:
Dave, what plates are those? Look nice and thin.
It also looks like Mayflower has a better design for the chest clips now than when I got mine. Yours appear to have an upper and a lower attachment point? Mind just attach at the top and flop around if the chest rig isn't attached.
Looks like the multicam Velocity Systems' lightweight multi hit plates.
The plate pocket appears to have more velcro than mine, and probably why my plate fell out.
Correct on the plates.
There is a metric-shit-ton of Velcro coverage to hold the plates in.
Rob, the female-end buckles attached to the vest are indeed connected top and bottom and extremely stable.
Iraq Ninja
08-06-11, 10:26
Looks like the multicam Velocity Systems' lightweight multi hit plates.
The plate pocket appears to have more velcro than mine, and probably why my plate fell out.
Irish,
No. Don't waste money on shoulder pads. I have been wearing this vest daily for three months with no use for them.
BTW, I sent you those pics man.
Just looking at them now. Thanks again! You've been a tremendous amount of help and I appreciate the advice and suggestions. Get home safe!
Dave, what plates are those? Look nice and thin.
Those are Velocity Systems plates. http://www.velsyst.com/our-products/ballistic-rifle-plates.php
I chose the light brown ICW ones that they have at SKD for $250 a pop after conferring with Dave, Vel Sys and Justin at Mayflower. http://www.skdtac.com/Velocity_Systems_Plate_LEVEL_III_IV_ICW_p/amr.108.htm
Those are Velocity Systems plates. http://www.velsyst.com/our-products/ballistic-rifle-plates.php
I chose the light brown ICW ones that they have at SKD for $250 a pop after conferring with Dave, Vel Sys and Justin at Mayflower. http://www.skdtac.com/Velocity_Systems_Plate_LEVEL_III_IV_ICW_p/amr.108.htm
So do those need to be used in conjunction with soft armor? In light of the recent events, armor is moving up on my list of things to acquire.
So do those need to be used in conjunction with soft armor? In light of the recent events, armor is moving up on my list of things to acquire.
When you see a plate rated to III/IV ICW it means the plate is a Level 3 (III) but when used "In Conjunction With" (ICW) it becomes a Level 4(IV).
It can be confusing, but many go with plates that are Level 4 "Stand Alone" which do not require soft armor backing them. Stand Alone plates are also similar in thickness to a soft/hard armor combo.
It's a long boring subject. Use the search feature and google and you will read more than you will care to understand.
When you see a plate rated to III/IV ICW it means the plate is a Level 3 (III) but when used "In Conjunction With" (ICW) it becomes a Level 4(IV).
It can be confusing, but many go with plates that are Level 4 "Stand Alone" which do not require soft armor backing them. Stand Alone plates are also similar in thickness to a soft/hard armor combo.
It's a long boring subject. Use the search feature and google and you will read more than you will care to understand.
Thanks. I just read some of DocGKR's writings. I've got about $600 to play with currently and I'm trying to prioritize an armor set up and a 2 day carbine class with T. Haley.
VooDoo6Actual
08-07-11, 01:27
Nice light & practical setup Dave L.
Thanks. I just read some of DocGKR's writings. I've got about $600 to play with currently and I'm trying to prioritize an armor set up and a 2 day carbine class with T. Haley.
training > gear
Nice light & practical setup Dave L.
Thanks man.
I'm trying to decide on this one, or the P.I.G. Tough choice.
I will be using it on patrol when needed, SWAT training when not in full gear, and range time.
I have been trying to decide on the same thing. Mayflower vs SKD PIG. I have been reading/searching a lot the past 3-4 days and cannot come to a decision. I am looking for something for use during classes, that bump in the night, etc. Something quick to put on. This won't be used a whole lot but I don't like buying crap gear. Thats why these are at the top of my list.
Great review from rob_s at yellowtacticalvisor.net and I really like the versatility of the mayflower. But great reviews of the PIG as well. I can talk my way into either one. Trouble is I'm a newbe to armor.
Any pointing in the right direction would be greatly appreciated. The pros and cons of soft + plate vs stand alone plate?
The PIG is where my setup may go. Mayflower also makes a plate carrier (http://www.mayflower-rc.org/store/7016/63/Assault-Plate-Carrier.html) that I'm looking at, largely because the clips on the front match up to the clips on the low-profile carrier I already have, and the chest rigs I had made to match. not sure how much of a deciding factor that will be for me.
I wish my low-profile was the newer design that Dave is using. His has a couple of features that mine doesn't that I think would help me make up my mind. I would also be more likely to stay with the setup I have if the plates I wanted to use (http://www.atstacticalgear.com/cgi/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=ST-4615) weren't $1400k/pair. They are swimmer cut and weigh about half as much as the Velocity Systems.
As it stands now I'm looking to balance weight and cost, which always seems to be the case when shopping for armor. Given that this is for shoot-house classes for me and not much else I think I'm going to wind up going cheaper/heavier rather than expensive/lighter, but I think I might mitigate some of the weight by going with the PIG and plates instead of the Mayflower Low Profile, soft armor, and plates.
Trying to get an "unloaded" weight on the pig. Will email SKD.
Dave L - Your setup looks nice, thank you for posting pics.
1GIG - Right there with you. Trying to choose between the Mayflower, Eagle SPC and SKD Pig.
Rob S - Have you had a chance to inspect/run the Eagle SPC?
Trying to balance the weight, functionality and protection is not an easy task. Thanks for everyones insight.
I haven't weighed my Mayflower yet, I don't think, but I got an email from SKD today with some weights of the PIG
PIG with elastic cummerbund: 2.48 lbs.
PIG with side plate carriers for elastic cummerbund: 2.52 lbs.
PIG with both: 2.94 lbs.
I wasn't happy with the P.I.G., but I know most guys who have them seem to love them. For me it was too bulky.
I had a Blue Force Gear LMAC for about 1 day a couple of weeks ago - size Large that I had to send back to exchange for a Medium... which is not in stock yet. Obviously I don't have a lot of time wearing the LMAC, but when I put my (medium SAPI) plates and backers in it and put it on, I was plenty impressed. The LMAC seems really well thought out and super comfortable.
One thing I'm not so sure about on the LMAC is the side plate pockets. I don't plan to run side plates, so I ordered a Mayflower cummerbund which should work great with the LMAC, and give me the option to run side soft armor inserts.
I wasn't happy with the P.I.G., but I know most guys who have them seem to love them. For me it was too bulky.
Can you comment on what you thought contributed to this, and what was different about the LMAC that made it less so?
Can you comment on what you thought contributed to this, and what was different about the LMAC that made it less so?
I didn't like all the sewn in padding, or the layering in the plate pockets in the P.I.G. Also, the P.I.G. is a one-size-fits-all system that seems to be made for large SAPI plates. I'm not a little guy or huge guy - 5'9" and 190 lbs - and the P.I.G. just seemed bulky to me.
The LMAC is more minimalistic - reminds me of an improved version of the old Paraclete plate carrier. Also, the mesh material that the plate pockets are backed with seems to add a thin bit of padding between the body and the plate without adding any bulk.
My guess is that the P.I.G. would stand up to more hard use, though. Also, the LMAC is closely tailored to fit certain size SAPI/ESAPI plates, so nonstandard plates may not work. The bigger plate pockets in the P.I.G. would give you more options... but you pay for that with a bulkier vest.
For size reference. I'm 6'3" 225lbs 46" chest and wear a suit coat 42L. I chose the Mayflower Low Pro (size Large) utilizing the Velocity Systems soft armor and their hard plates as well. The vest stops approximately 1" above my navel and upon initially wearing it seems to be "comfortable" and does not appear to impede any movement. I received it today and haven't had an opportunity to any type of shooting wearing the vest but my initial impressions are all very positive.
http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/4894/mayflowerfront2.jpg
http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/1059/mayflowerback.jpg
Irish,
Is that cummerbund made of cordura? I assume the elastic is under the rear flap, so it'll still give some when you move around, breathe, etc?
Is that cummerbund made of cordura? I assume the elastic is under the rear flap, so it'll still give some when you move around, breathe, etc?
Yes it is and yes they are. The cummerbund also has pockets for soft armor and side plates as well. When I ordered it I didn't know that and probably won't by the sides anytime in the near future. While the additional protection would be nice for guys in high security areas the price and additional weight would be a little bit cumbersome for my needs. I do like the looks of the cummerbund Dave L has with the molle attachments for mags and might be purchasing one in the future.
I'll take additional pictures later of the armor inserts and anything else you'd like to see.
VooDoo6Actual
08-15-11, 22:39
Great looking KIT Irish.
good choices.
May it serve you well.
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