View Full Version : Shellback Tactical Banshee Modification
The Shellback Tactical Banshee is a popular piece of kit used by citizen shooters, police, and some Special Forces. One of the biggest complaints of the vest is the poor weld between rifle stock and shoulder strap. When shouldering a rifle, the Banshee’s large shoulder buckles slide the rifle stock off of the shoulder and into the bicep. To create a better shoulder weld for rifles, the shoulder straps on the Banshee need to be as low profile as possible, also it’s helpful when using the Shellback Tactical padded shoulder pads with this mod. The mod and the improved shoulder pads create a comfortable and lower-profile position for a rifle stock to sit solidly. The pictures below will show the hardware I modded while experimenting and the off-the-shelf parts I ended up using on my vest.
The hardware I used to experiment with the shoulder mod is ITW Nexus and SKD PIG.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Roecar/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/IMG_0870_zps06c15595.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/Roecar/media/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/IMG_0870_zps06c15595.jpg.html)
Early on I used standard ITW Nexus hardware found in their various buckle replacement kits. I took ladder locks and made cuts similar to the cut outs on existing tri-glide hardware. The hard part of this mod is cutting off the original buckles, the disclaimer is when they’re gone, they’re gone.
The ITW hardware was a proof of concept that proved that the Banshee could get low-pro shoulder straps. Shouldering my rifle with this mod was far more comfortable than using the factory buckle design.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Roecar/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/IMG_0872_zps6acf2e8e.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/Roecar/media/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/IMG_0872_zps6acf2e8e.jpg.html)
The first step is cutting off the female buckle off. The modded tri-glide serves as a cinch for the Banshee webbing strap. The ladder lock was intended to secure the webbing strap so slipping isn’t a problem and the Banshee can still have adjustable shoulder straps.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Roecar/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/IMG_0878_zpsccdee126.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/Roecar/media/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/IMG_0878_zpsccdee126.jpg.html)
Early field tests proved that shouldering a rifle was more comfortable and stable with the new mod. However, since I was using custom cut parts, the vest wasn’t as secured as factory buckles. Honestly I’d have more piece of mind if parts we’re readily available and “field” ready. Doing extensive research, SKD’s PIG line offered a good source of inspiration and source of “field” ready hardware.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Roecar/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/IMG_0871_zpsd45eadfa.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/Roecar/media/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/IMG_0871_zpsd45eadfa.jpg.html)
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Roecar/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/IMG_0869_zpsd3c85af3.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/Roecar/media/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/IMG_0869_zpsd3c85af3.jpg.html)
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Roecar/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/IMG_0873_zps03282536.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/Roecar/media/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/IMG_0873_zps03282536.jpg.html)
I tried each type of hardware beginning with the ITW G-hooks, then the SKD PIG buckle strap and G-hook, and finally the SKD PIG D-ring cinch and G-hook.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Roecar/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/IMG_0879_zps8b9432ca.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/Roecar/media/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/IMG_0879_zps8b9432ca.jpg.html)
Before:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Roecar/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/IMG_0876_zps67825cc1.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/Roecar/media/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/IMG_0876_zps67825cc1.jpg.html)
After:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Roecar/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/IMG_0877_zps29425c42.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/Roecar/media/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/IMG_0877_zps29425c42.jpg.html)
The SKD PIG D-ring cinch with G-hook worked the best. Since the G-hook was stamped steel, it is virtually unnoticeable and indestructible. The double D-ring cinch on the SKD PIG strap allowed for maximum adjustability of the Banshee straps. Adding some 100mph tape to tie down the excess webbing adds more security.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Roecar/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/photo14_zps31653f30.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/Roecar/media/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/photo14_zps31653f30.jpg.html)
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Roecar/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/photo15_zps5ca46bb7.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/Roecar/media/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/photo15_zps5ca46bb7.jpg.html)
Moose-Knuckle
08-07-13, 12:47
Nice write up and mod, I'm a visual learner so the pics in your tutorial were most helpful.
Thanks for the write up. Very excellent.
add this on how SKD's Piggly_Wiggly demonstrated how to install the SKD Pig G-hook..... just in case, its not clear enough....for people like me :D
http://youtu.be/I1vyUnE9INo
Just want to share this set up I got from Down Range Chest Rig/Armor Interface Quick Attach (http://downrangegear.net/Down_Range_Gear_Chest_Rig__Armor_Interface_Kit.html). I used it to attach my D3CR.
I also moved the side connection on my support side, as a mean of silent/ QA
instead of the Velcro. The strong side has the Velcro permanently attached.
Hope that makes sense.
http://i.imgur.com/BPSLo08l.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/jfmEUNPl.jpg
stay tuned, I'm uploading a 2 min video why I took the Down Range Gear's Chest Rig-Armor QA ....AT&T sucks with slow upload DSL.
http://youtu.be/F8zI7rpwsNw
hope this helps
WOW!
I just finished with one side, and I'm surprised that I finished under 5 minutes.
The rear strap/ male end /3 prong was easy to slip off.
http://i.imgur.com/lZLYVayl.jpg
The front buckle/ female end was a little challenging, lucky, my fingers were small enough to access the side opening.(as seen in Roecar's picture)
http://i.imgur.com/nj8E3hUl.jpg
I just snipped it with this Husky snipper (???), enough to slip the closed strap off.
Then I slipped the G hook inside the strap, hooked it, then, proceeded to loop the rear strap to the double loop.
Will add pictures later
So far digging the difference. With original buckle, it's around 3/4 of an inch. Now it's les than 1/4 of an inch.
Glad you like it! The slimmer profile helped me get a better weld with the butt stock. The hardest part is cutting the buckle! lol
Glad you like it! The slimmer profile helped me get a better weld with the butt stock. The hardest part is cutting the buckle! lol
I was videorecording, trying to snip off by one hand....
http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/975/ws2f.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/849/ws2f.jpg/)
:D:D:D
soon as uploaded, you'll see how many times I had to pause recording:D
I do apologize, since I'm working with one hand here
you can see how slimmer this modification will do for your Banshee
http://i.imgur.com/pZyZ8iEl.jpg
I tried squeezing it so you can definitely how thinner it is
http://i.imgur.com/XdouwCnl.jpg
hilarious video here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5X1LCsTt7KI)
that's good stuff. have you looked at a way to mount mags (inserts) in the Kangaroo pouch? none of the commonly available 3-mag pouches work. I contacted Banshee and they confirmed that. They do have a 2-mag insert but I'm really looking for three...
my goal is to slim down the forward aspect to make it semi-covert. along with your modification, relocating the mags to the interior, would really reduce the bulk.
Awesome. Question. Is there any problem with the width of the pig g-hook versus the width of the banshee shoulder strap? Are they both the same width? Mine is about 200 miles away right now or I'd measure myself.
that's good stuff. have you looked at a way to mount mags (inserts) in the Kangaroo pouch? none of the commonly available 3-mag pouches work. I contacted Banshee and they confirmed that. They do have a 2-mag insert but I'm really looking for three...
my goal is to slim down the forward aspect to make it semi-covert. along with your modification, relocating the mags to the interior, would really reduce the bulk.
I've only tried http://www.skdtac.com/PIG-Kangaroo-Pouch-Mag-Insert-KPMI-p/pig.504.htm but only two. Not sure how tight 3 mag will be.
Awesome. Question. Is there any problem with the width of the pig g-hook versus the width of the banshee shoulder strap? Are they both the same width? Mine is about 200 miles away right now or I'd measure myself.
I'm away also but will try to get those measure
Top of my head, it's decently smaller/ narrower than the strap.
Initial impression: you have to play initially with the adjustment, both when standing and in a vehicle.
After this mod at work, I wore this on the way home. The straps would rise above my shoulder when seated, but not when standing. So initially, there's some playing around and the double ring is not forgiving.
I'll try to get some pictures of how the whole thing looks when worn. The G-hooks are a little larger than a 1" diameter. The design of the G-hooks allow it to fully capture the 1.5" webbing. I haven't had any issues of the G-hook coming loose in carbine type classes. However, depending on the weight you have on your carrier, you may need to reinforce the straps on the rear if they happen to slip.
I hope this is clear, if not the pictures I should be able to get will help explain how everything fits on me.
I'll try to get some pictures of how the whole thing looks when worn. The G-hooks are a little larger than a 1" diameter. The design of the G-hooks allow it to fully capture the 1.5" webbing. I haven't had any issues of the G-hook coming loose in carbine type classes. However, depending on the weight you have on your carrier, you may need to reinforce the straps on the rear if they happen to slip. U
I hope this is clear, if not the pictures I should be able to get will help explain how everything fits on me.
Okay, that makes sense. I was more concerned with the metal g-hook being narrower than the loop on the banshee carrier on the front panel where it might slide loose releasing the shoulder panel. I can deal with the long end and secure it somehow.
This is a good idea.
sorry no measurement, I lost my tape measure, hopefully these pictures will do
http://i.imgur.com/TvjPqCml.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/Df1YdDDl.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/iRlFYqAl.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/r2wvqpxl.jpg
sorry no measurement, I lost my tape measure, hopefully these pictures will do
http://i.imgur.com/TvjPqCml.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/Df1YdDDl.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/iRlFYqAl.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/r2wvqpxl.jpg
Thank you. That shows what I was looking for.
Just to give some perspective how my Banshee is set-up, I am 6'1" 220lbs. The top of the front plate is just below my sternum for maximum protection for my heart.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Roecar/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/IMG_09532_zpsf344f17b.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/Roecar/media/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/IMG_09532_zpsf344f17b.jpg.html)http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Roecar/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/IMG_0956_zps259c4d4b.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/Roecar/media/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/IMG_0956_zps259c4d4b.jpg.html)
I'm lucky that the extra length of strap can be threaded and cinched through the existing webbing loops on the Banshee. As such, the strap is secured from coming loose in anyway. You can see where the end of the extra strapping is locked in by the shoulder strap webbing.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Roecar/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/IMG_0964_zps405ba7af.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/Roecar/media/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/IMG_0964_zps405ba7af.jpg.html)http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Roecar/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/IMG_0962_zpsb68fe4bc.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/Roecar/media/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/IMG_0962_zpsb68fe4bc.jpg.html)http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Roecar/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/IMG_0961_zps5132f7fd.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/Roecar/media/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/IMG_0961_zps5132f7fd.jpg.html)
CoolBreeze1911
09-21-13, 08:29
The Shellback Tactical Banshee is a popular piece of kit used by citizen shooters, police, and some Special Forces. One of the biggest complaints of the vest is the poor weld between rifle stock and shoulder strap. When shouldering a rifle, the Banshee’s large shoulder buckles slide the rifle stock off of the shoulder and into the bicep. To create a better shoulder weld for rifles, the shoulder straps on the Banshee need to be as low profile as possible, also it’s helpful when using the Shellback Tactical padded shoulder pads with this mod. The mod and the improved shoulder pads create a comfortable and lower-profile position for a rifle stock to sit solidly. The pictures below will show the hardware I modded while experimenting and the off-the-shelf parts I ended up using on my vest.
The hardware I used to experiment with the shoulder mod is ITW Nexus and SKD PIG.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Roecar/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/IMG_0870_zps06c15595.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/Roecar/media/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/IMG_0870_zps06c15595.jpg.html)
Early on I used standard ITW Nexus hardware found in their various buckle replacement kits. I took ladder locks and made cuts similar to the cut outs on existing tri-glide hardware. The hard part of this mod is cutting off the original buckles, the disclaimer is when they’re gone, they’re gone.
The ITW hardware was a proof of concept that proved that the Banshee could get low-pro shoulder straps. Shouldering my rifle with this mod was far more comfortable than using the factory buckle design.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Roecar/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/IMG_0872_zps6acf2e8e.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/Roecar/media/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/IMG_0872_zps6acf2e8e.jpg.html)
The first step is cutting off the female buckle off. The modded tri-glide serves as a cinch for the Banshee webbing strap. The ladder lock was intended to secure the webbing strap so slipping isn’t a problem and the Banshee can still have adjustable shoulder straps.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Roecar/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/IMG_0878_zpsccdee126.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/Roecar/media/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/IMG_0878_zpsccdee126.jpg.html)
Early field tests proved that shouldering a rifle was more comfortable and stable with the new mod. However, since I was using custom cut parts, the vest wasn’t as secured as factory buckles. Honestly I’d have more piece of mind if parts we’re readily available and “field” ready. Doing extensive research, SKD’s PIG line offered a good source of inspiration and source of “field” ready hardware.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Roecar/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/IMG_0871_zpsd45eadfa.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/Roecar/media/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/IMG_0871_zpsd45eadfa.jpg.html)
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Roecar/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/IMG_0869_zpsd3c85af3.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/Roecar/media/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/IMG_0869_zpsd3c85af3.jpg.html)
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Roecar/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/IMG_0873_zps03282536.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/Roecar/media/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/IMG_0873_zps03282536.jpg.html)
I tried each type of hardware beginning with the ITW G-hooks, then the SKD PIG buckle strap and G-hook, and finally the SKD PIG D-ring cinch and G-hook.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Roecar/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/IMG_0879_zps8b9432ca.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/Roecar/media/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/IMG_0879_zps8b9432ca.jpg.html)
Before:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Roecar/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/IMG_0876_zps67825cc1.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/Roecar/media/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/IMG_0876_zps67825cc1.jpg.html)
After:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Roecar/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/IMG_0877_zps29425c42.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/Roecar/media/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/IMG_0877_zps29425c42.jpg.html)
The SKD PIG D-ring cinch with G-hook worked the best. Since the G-hook was stamped steel, it is virtually unnoticeable and indestructible. The double D-ring cinch on the SKD PIG strap allowed for maximum adjustability of the Banshee straps. Adding some 100mph tape to tie down the excess webbing adds more security.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Roecar/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/photo14_zps31653f30.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/Roecar/media/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/photo14_zps31653f30.jpg.html)
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Roecar/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/photo15_zps5ca46bb7.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/Roecar/media/Roecar%20Tactical%20Gear/photo15_zps5ca46bb7.jpg.html)
What are your thoughts on doing the mod using small cobra buckles to maintain the QR feature? Nice job btw.
What are your thoughts on doing the mod using small cobra buckles to maintain the QR feature? Nice job btw.
I would think the small cobras would be as thick as the plastic clips already supplied. Also, it might be a hard time getting the cobra attached to the loop where the g hook is clipped in the pic above.
CoolBreeze1911
09-21-13, 10:05
Yeah, I don't have a banshee, so I don't know how those clips would compare to the cobras.
Yeah, I don't have a banshee, so I don't know how those clips would compare to the cobras.
Its a good idea. I think it would be more of a major alteration / manufacture it that way type of deal.
CoolBreeze1911
09-21-13, 10:14
Its a good idea. I think it would be more of a major alteration / manufacture it that way type of deal.
Do you have a banshee? I have been looking at getting my first plate carrier, and I have read good things about the banshees. What are your thoughts if you don't mind me asking.
Do you have a banshee? I have been looking at getting my first plate carrier, and I have read good things about the banshees. What are your thoughts if you don't mind me asking.
I do have the banshee. There are better carriers out there. Several of our teams went with the Banshee to get away from our big heavy armor. Each operator was purchasing their own so we had to look at cost as a main factor with color and durability second.
The Banshee is a great carrier for the money. Its durable, cost effective, and works. The main change I would make if I were TAG/Shellback is the quick clips. They are a little bit in the way.
If you dont have the need for a $400-$500 carrier, I would recommend it all day long.
With that said, If I didn't have the uniformity constraint I would have went with a CRYE jumpable or TYR tactical carrier. But you are looking at a bit more money with those.
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