Diamondback Tactical Fast Attack Plate Carrier (FAPC)

[JSGlock34]

I was wondering if anyone was using the DBT Fast Attack Plate Carrier (FAPC) and had any pics of their loadout.

http://www.diamondbacktactical.com/images/prodimages/FAPC.jpg

I read the excellent review at Military Morons (http://www.militarymorons.com/equipment/protective.html#dbt) and think the GEN1 FAPC would meet my requirements. I'm looking for a relatively simple, low profile plate carrier without a cumberbund (though its nice you can add one later). Unfortunately, I haven't found many pics of this carrier out there.

I'm looking to mount a three AR magazine shingle and a double pistol mag pouch, but I'm wondering if the 5 rows of MOLLE don't provide enough real estate. I want to keep the front as flat as possible, so I don't want to have to double stack magazines. I was hoping to have the row of three AR mags close to my waist, and the double pistol pouch higher up on my chest. Is this doable with the FAPC?

Thanks for any input.

[Iraqgunz]

I have one in multicam that I got back in early 07. It works very good. As an option I used the low-vis rack they have as well so I didn't have to have shit on the carrier. I have one pic and don't know if it will help or not. I'll send it via email.


I was wondering if anyone was using the DBT Fast Attack Plate Carrier (FAPC) and had any pics of their loadout.

http://www.diamondbacktactical.com/images/prodimages/FAPC.jpg

I read the excellent review at Military Morons (http://www.militarymorons.com/equipment/protective.html#dbt) and think the GEN1 FAPC would meet my requirements. I'm looking for a relatively simple, low profile plate carrier without a cumberbund (though its nice you can add one later). Unfortunately, I haven't found many pics of this carrier out there.

I'm looking to mount a three AR magazine shingle and a double pistol mag pouch, but I'm wondering if the 5 rows of MOLLE don't provide enough real estate. I want to keep the front as flat as possible, so I don't want to have to double stack magazines. I was hoping to have the row of three AR mags close to my waist, and the double pistol pouch higher up on my chest. Is this doable with the FAPC?

Thanks for any input.

[Iraqgunz]

You can't receive emails from members.

[JSGlock34]

Whoops, fixed that. Thanks for offering to send the pic - should go through now.

Did some more research tonight - found this pic on lightfighter...perhaps my concerns are unfounded, though it looks almost as if the pistol magazine pouch is under the M4 pouch...

http://lightfighter.net/eve/forums/a/ga/ul/4551037433/inlineimg/Y/Picture_194.jpg

[militarymoron]

there's not enough room to put pistol mag pouches above the rifle pouches on the FAPC. personally, i'd stick the pistol mag pouches on your belt on your waist. i've found that pistol mag pouches mounted right below your chin aren't the easiest for extracting the mags, plus they interfere with extracting the rifle mags from the pouches below.

[grappler]

there's not enough room to put pistol mag pouches above the rifle pouches on the FAPC. personally, i'd stick the pistol mag pouches on your belt on your waist. i've found that pistol mag pouches mounted right below your chin aren't the easiest for extracting the mags, plus they interfere with extracting the rifle mags from the pouches below.

I run three main double mag pouches(Eagle Ind)http://www.eagleindustries.com/prd_detail.asp?ProdID=335&CatID=48&SubCatID=48 w/ flaps centered with two single mag pouches(TAG)http://www.tacticalassaultgearstore.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=202 to the left that have pistol mags attached to the outside.

Works great for me and without them attached to the outside of the rifle mag pouches, I would have a hard time getting to them on my belt.

[JSGlock34]

there's not enough room to put pistol mag pouches above the rifle pouches on the FAPC. personally, i'd stick the pistol mag pouches on your belt on your waist. i've found that pistol mag pouches mounted right below your chin aren't the easiest for extracting the mags, plus they interfere with extracting the rifle mags from the pouches below.

Thanks, this is exactly what I needed to know. I know the FAPC is a smaller plate carrier - usually when wearing a carrier I have to get gear off of my belt as the carrier tends to interfere - especially when I'm seated. From your comments, it sounds like the FAPC still allows you to get to your waistline.

Perhaps I should be looking for a low profile carrier with a bit more MOLLE real estate. Anyone have a recommendation? The Eagle MOLLE carrier looks like a possibility, as does the Tactical Tailor.

[militarymoron]

Whoops, fixed that. Thanks for offering to send the pic - should go through now.

Did some more research tonight - found this pic on lightfighter...perhaps my concerns are unfounded, though it looks almost as if the pistol magazine pouch is under the M4 pouch...



the pistol mag pouches look like they're only attached by their lower half; or they just mount higher than regular pouches. with the pistol mag pouches i have, it would require one more row of PALS webbing to mount them.

i've also done something similar to what grappler described - two double M4 pouches plus one of my 6o4 pistol mag pouches on the FAPC (total 4 rifle mags and 4 pistol mags) - mounted side by side.

[militarymoron]

From your comments, it sounds like the FAPC still allows you to get to your waistline.
check out this pic - i'm wearing the FAPC without cummerbund and the pistol mags on the battle belt are very accessible (username and password are both 'mm' to view pic):
http://www.militarymorons.com/equipment/img/fapc23.jpg

[Dave L.]

I also have the Multi-cam FAPC Gen 1 with the level 3A cummerbund here in Iraq.
I haven't used it a whole lot- I am still waiting on the 3A armor inserts for behind the plates. Quality is excellent.
Prior to getting the cummerbund I did what someone already mentioned; had a low vis LV3 mollee rack with the built in mag pouches to slip over it but got sick of having the straps dig into my neck.
I don't have any pics yet but if I'm not working tomorrow maybe I can get some up for you.

If you are going to get one, wait for the FAPC Gen 2 to come out- I called DBT and they are excepting orders but they are still about 30 days out...which may be longer knowing the industry.

PM me if you have any other specific questions,
Dave

[JSGlock34]

First, thanks for all the great responses and pics. BTW, MilitaryMoron - you run a great site and thanks for pointing out that picture.

I'm going to take a hard look at the FAPC and the GEN2 FAPC. I have some time, so the GEN2 might be the way to go. I'm looking at the most recent picture on the Diamondback website of the GEN2 (below) - it looks like they've removed the velcro section and added a few more MOLLE rows in this generation...

http://www.diamondbacktactical.com/images/FAPC2b.jpg

On the other hand, I'm not sold on their integrated Battle Lab Accessory Pouches that mount in the pocket. but you don't have to use those. I'll have to consider whether the GEN2 upgrades are worth the $40 price difference to me - either way, the FAPC is still a bargain as far as plate carriers go.

One more DBT question - anyone using their pouches with PMAGs? Any dimensional issues?

[militarymoron]

the Gen2 FAPC upgrades are definitely worth the price difference IMHO. all the issues and improvements i had wanted to see in the gen 1 FAPC, they fixed in the gen 2. the gen 2 FAPC is the 'no frills' version of the Advanced Warfare FAPC that i reviewed here just above the gen 1 writeup:
http://www.militarymorons.com/equipment/protective.html#fapc2

if you ever want to get the cummerbund (fast attack rack/FAR), the gen 2 FAR has a lot more features than the gen 1.

as far as the accessory pouches for the pocket, i have all of them; i just haven't had time to put them up on my site yet. the one i recommend getting is the utility pouch zipper conversion. this just adds a zipper closure to the compartment, and it's great for putting stuff there without adding bulk. i can fit three 30 round mags in the pocket, with the zipper closure. i use them for replenishing the ITW FAST mags in the front.
the accessory M4 pouch will fit PMAGS.

[Dave L.]

JSGlock34,
I doubt you will be able to find a Gen 1 FAPC new from DBT; if you do their good colors and popular sizes will probably out of stock(discontinued). They only had 3 gen 1 cummerbunds in stock when I called the other day, 2 were multicam and 1 was ranger green.

If you call DBT and get your name on the list, they wont charge your card until the product ships.
You can also use the "Instant Message" feature on DBT's website to check availability- I use it to find out what is in stock prior to ordering anything from them.