MTV, Marine Tactical Vest---pix

[SMGLee]

I had the opportunity to test out a MTV, I took some picture for your viewing pleasure.

http://photos.imageevent.com/smglee/clt2/huge/P1010603.jpg
Frontal view of the MTV, the vest is releasable and it is fully adjustable. this one is a size M. which fit my 200lbs, 5'8" frame very well.

http://photos.imageevent.com/smglee/clt2/huge/P1010604.jpg
The rear view, the armor collar are removable. position of the buckles are located in the rear portion of the shoulder strap, I recall the Blackwater IO vest which had the buckles in the front which made with shouldering a weapon very uncomfortable. this shoulder vest on the MTV are very comfortable and carry the load of the vest well.

http://photos.imageevent.com/smglee/clt2/huge/P1010622.jpg http://photos.imageevent.com/smglee/clt2/huge/P1010623.jpg
Removable armor collar

http://photos.imageevent.com/smglee/clt2/huge/P1010606.jpg
side view of the MTV with the side plates. the side plate module have both the soft and hard armor in the pouch.

http://photos.imageevent.com/smglee/clt2/huge/P1010625.jpg
A removable anti slip shoulder stop for your carbine butt.

http://photos.imageevent.com/smglee/clt2/huge/P1010607.jpg
Removable rear buttocks protection. unlike the front groin protection, the pouch for the rear cannot be removed. this is a draw back since I have to fold the pouch back into the vest and creates some bulk.

http://photos.imageevent.com/smglee/clt2/huge/P1010608.jpg
Cummerbund adjustment, this set up are not as optimal as the CIRAS setup. the cummerbund actually could slide around a bit during set up.

http://photos.imageevent.com/smglee/clt2/huge/P1010609.jpg
Flap that covers the access to the cummerbund adjustment, and then the out cover Velcro into this cover to securely lock the cummerbund into place.

http://photos.imageevent.com/smglee/clt2/huge/P1010617.jpg
The cummerbund come together in the front and secure by the front cover.

http://photos.imageevent.com/smglee/clt2/huge/P1010619.jpg
Interior of the cummerbund has a thin sheet of plastic for rigidity.

http://photos.imageevent.com/smglee/clt2/huge/P1010610.jpg
the front lower section cover that cover the cummerbund also have a velcro pocket that could be used a map or admin storage.

http://photos.imageevent.com/smglee/clt2/huge/P1010611.jpg
Front section top flap gain access to your armor plate.

http://photos.imageevent.com/smglee/clt2/huge/P1010612.jpg
Standard SAPI plate, single curve side cut.

http://photos.imageevent.com/smglee/clt2/huge/P1010614.jpg http://photos.imageevent.com/smglee/clt2/huge/P1010620.jpg

Interior of the vest.

http://photos.imageevent.com/smglee/clt2/huge/P1010616.jpg
Notice the removable collar.

[SMGLee]

http://photos.imageevent.com/smglee/clt2/huge/P1010615.jpg http://photos.imageevent.com/smglee/clt2/huge/P1010624.jpg
Adjustable and releasable shoulder strap.

http://photos.imageevent.com/smglee/clt2/huge/P1010618.jpg
Release pull tab.

http://photos.imageevent.com/smglee/clt2/huge/P1010626.jpg
Notice the steel wire for the release pull tab that run along the cummerbund.

http://photos.imageevent.com/smglee/clt2/huge/P1010621.jpg
Interior access to the Lvl3a soft armor

http://photos.imageevent.com/smglee/clt2/huge/P1010627.jpg
Removable front groin protection

http://photos.imageevent.com/smglee/clt2/huge/P1010628.jpg
Compare to my trusty Eagle Ind. CIRAS-Land

Although the Armor is compatible between the two vest, the soft armor isn't. the MTV soft armor cut are different than the BALC-S or commercially known CIRAS cut.

[Spade]

Thanks for posting. Would you trade your old vest in or it or not? The collar looks annoying.

[SMGLee]

No, the MTV is not my, i just had the opportunity to test and run it for a weekend.

Although it is very well made, but I did find the CIRAS are still more comfortable than the MTV.

[Ak44]

I had the Ciras vest in FAST Co and then the MTV with 1/1. The MTV is not my favorite vest and I would rather wear an interceptor than the MTV. The one problem I had with the MTV was that not matter how much you wore it or "broke it in" it still felt like a wooden barrel around your body. The Ciras is the best vest I've used, and would consider buying one with my own money. That's just my .02 from a grumpy 0311 :D

[SO_THERE_I_WAS]

Who designed the MTV? it kinda reminds me of the Spartan Vests.

So There I Was...

[custom-x_sponjah]

Who designed the MTV? it kinda reminds me of the Spartan Vests.

So There I Was...

The MTV and Spartan II seem very similar because the MTV was supposed to be a Spartan II but with a Single armor panel in the front.
Tactical Applications Group, Eagle Industries, and PPI Armor were all working together on the project.
After the contract was awarded PPI changed the cut of the armor, which changed the feel of the Carrier and started the hatred for the MTV.
There is a long story that you can probably find on the web somewhere..

CXS

[The Rat]

That does look way fatter in the front than my Spartan II does. That is, the shoulder areas, etc, look much thicker.

I had to tie down the shoulder areas of my Spartan with 550 cord so they wouldn't keep pushing against my arms; I can't imagine how that MTV feels.
(For reference:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v495/rupert42/Guns/kitmod1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v495/rupert42/Guns/kitmod1.jpg
)

[Blackjack272]

Thanks for the review - good pictures!

For the guy that was with 1/1 - ran across a Marine in 1/1 the other day. They have authorized the use of the Eagle PC with a cummerbund as well as the normal SPC, but you don't see many here in Pendleton, at least where I am at. He was wearing one with plates, no soft armor to see, but that's not to say it wasn't there.

That said, I feel very strongly about this... the MTV is probably the worst armor system ever created, and feels like wearing around a Hesco barrier when its on you.

Whoever authorized the fielding of the MTV with the last change to the armor cut, or for that matter, the whole vest period, ought to be shot.

If you want details, experiences, etc. so y'all know I'm not blowing smoke out of my ass, let me know.

S/F

[Ak44]

For the guy that was with 1/1 - ran across a Marine in 1/1 the other day. They have authorized the use of the Eagle PC with a cummerbund as well as the normal SPC, but you don't see many here in Pendleton, at least where I am at. He was wearing one with plates, no soft armor to see, but that's not to say it wasn't there.

Interesting...


Whoever authorized the fielding of the MTV with the last change to the armor cut, or for that matter, the whole vest period, ought to be shot.

I agree